a large gregarious predatory feline mammal, Panthera leo, of open country in parts of Africa and India, having a tawny yellow coat and, in the male, a shaggy mane
▶ Related adjective: leonine
2.
a conventionalized lion, the principal beast used as an emblem in heraldry. It has become the national emblem of Great Britain
3.
a courageous, strong, or bellicose person
4.
a celebrity or idol who attracts much publicity and a large following
5. beard the lion in his den
6. the lion's share
Word origin
Old English līo, lēo (Middle English lioun, from Anglo-French liun), both from Latin leo, Greek leōn