lion

noun li·on \ˈlī-ən\

: a large wild cat that has golden brown fur and that lives mainly in Africa

: a very important, powerful, or successful person

plural lions

Full Definition of LION

a or plural lion : a large heavily built social cat (Panthera leo) of open or rocky areas chiefly of sub-Saharan Africa though once widely distributed throughout Africa and southern Asia that has a tawny body with a tufted tail and a shaggy blackish or dark brown mane in the male

b : any of several large wildcats; especially : cougar 1

c capitalized : leo

a : a person felt to resemble a lion (as in courage or ferocity)

b : a person of outstanding interest or importance <a literary lion>

capitalized [Lions (club)] : a member of a major national and international service club

— li·on·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

See lion defined for English-language learners

See lion defined for kids

Origin of LION

Middle English lioun, from Anglo-French leun, lion, from Latin leon-, leo, from Greek leōn

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to LION

Synonyms: baron, captain, czar (also tsar or tzar), king, magnate, lord, mogul, monarch, Napoleon, prince, tycoon

LIONS Defined for Kids

lion

noun li·on \ˈlī-ən\

Definition of LION for Kids

: a large meat-eating animal of the cat family that has a brownish buff coat, a tufted tail, and in the male a shaggy mane and that lives in Africa and southern Asia