Illustration of cougar
- cougar 1
cougar
noun
cou·gar ˈkü-gər 
also -ˌgär
plural cougars also cougar
1
: a large powerful tawny-brown cat (Puma concolor synonym Felis concolor) formerly widespread in the Americas but now reduced in number or extinct in many areas
called also catamount, mountain lion, panther, puma
2
slang : a middle-aged woman seeking a romantic relationship with a younger man
Synonyms
- catamount
- cat-a-mountain
- mountain lion
- panther
- puma
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
in many regions, suburban developments have encroached upon the habitat of the cougar
Recent Examples on the Web In 2018, a cougar stalked two mountain bikers in the state's Cascade Mountains, killing one. 
Paradise Afshar, CNN, 1 June 2022 But in sites with active cougar predation, the donkeys were only seen during the day. Sam Zlotnik, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Aug. 2022 To reach Los Feliz from his likely birthplace in the Santa Monica Mountains, the cougar would have made an improbable journey through the Hollywood Hills, crossing the 405 and 101 freeways. Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2022 The cougar saw that and went after the second victim. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 23 May 2018 The 2-year-old male cougar, dubbed P-89, was found dead early Monday on a shoulder along U.S. 101 in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area said in a statement. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 22 July 2022 The cougar bit the dog's head and wouldn't let go, even when Wilson attacked the animal with rocks, sticks and her fists and tried to choke it and gouge its eyes. CBS News, 18 May 2022 In one of the more important recruiting visits ahead of the Big 12, a photoshoot with a fake cougar took centerstage. Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 June 2022 One of the best segments of the show was based on an audience member named Jordi’s scary childhood story of being chased by a cougar in the San Diego mountains. San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2022 See More
Paradise Afshar, CNN, 1 June 2022 But in sites with active cougar predation, the donkeys were only seen during the day. Sam Zlotnik, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Aug. 2022 To reach Los Feliz from his likely birthplace in the Santa Monica Mountains, the cougar would have made an improbable journey through the Hollywood Hills, crossing the 405 and 101 freeways. Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2022 The cougar saw that and went after the second victim. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 23 May 2018 The 2-year-old male cougar, dubbed P-89, was found dead early Monday on a shoulder along U.S. 101 in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area said in a statement. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 22 July 2022 The cougar bit the dog's head and wouldn't let go, even when Wilson attacked the animal with rocks, sticks and her fists and tried to choke it and gouge its eyes. CBS News, 18 May 2022 In one of the more important recruiting visits ahead of the Big 12, a photoshoot with a fake cougar took centerstage. Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 June 2022 One of the best segments of the show was based on an audience member named Jordi’s scary childhood story of being chased by a cougar in the San Diego mountains. San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
French couguar, modification of New Latin cuguacuarana, from Tupi sɨwasuarána, from sɨwásu deer + -ran resembling
First Known Use
1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
cougar
noun
cou·gar ˈkü-gər
: a large yellowish brown wild animal of North and South America related to the domestic cat
cougars
noun
variants also cougar
as in panthers
a large tawny cat of the wild in many regions, suburban developments have encroached upon the habitat of the cougar Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- panthers
- panther
- pumas
- puma
- mountain lions
- catamounts
- cat-a-mountains