noun
lion
LEYE-uhn
noun
1
A large, powerfully built wild cat native to Africa and parts of India, the male typically having a shaggy mane.
"The lion roared from the top of the rock."
"A pride of lions rested in the shade."
2
A person admired for courage, strength, or ferocity, or a celebrity attracting great attention.
"He fought like a lion to defend his family."
"The visiting author was treated as the lion of the literary party."
How to Use Lion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe big cat known as king of the jungle — or, figuratively, someone bold or much admired.
Common pairings
a pride of lions
roar like a lion
the lion's share
Word Forms
lions plural, lion plural, Lions plural
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Etymology
From Old French lion, from Latin leo, from Greek leōn, of unclear ultimate origin. It replaced the native Old English word leo.