a large, usually tawny-yellow cat, Panthera leo, native to Africa and southern Asia, having a tufted tail and, in the male, a large mane.
any of various related large wildcats, as the cougar.
a man of great strength, courage, etc.
a person of great importance, influence, charm, etc., who is much admired as a celebrity: a literary lion.
the lion as the national emblem of Great Britain.
(initial capital letter)Astronomy, Astrology. the constellation or sign of Leo.
(initial capital letter) a member of any one of the internationally affiliated service clubs (International Association of Lions Clubs ) founded in 1917 and dedicated to promoting responsible citizenship, sound government, and community, national, and international welfare.
Numismatics.
a silver, Anglo-Gallic denier, issued during the reign of Henry III, bearing the figure of a lion.
a gold coin of Scotland, issued c1400–1589, bearing the figure of a lion.
any of various other coins bearing the figure of a lion.
hardhead2.
British. an object of interest or note.
Idioms for lion
beard the lion in its den, to confront or attack someone, especially a powerful or feared person, in that person's own familiar surroundings.
twist the lion's tail, to tax the patience of or provoke a person, group, nation, or government, especially that of Great Britain.
Origin of lion
before 900; Middle English <Old French, variant of leon<Latin leōn- (stem of leō) <Greek léōn; replacing Middle English, Old English lēo<Latin, as above
Robin and his friends long for a world where they are invited into mainstream society, while still getting to be their super cool selves, which they get when King Richard returns at the end of the film and he’s not just a lion but a True Ally.
Toward a queer Disney canon|Emily VanDerWerff|September 4, 2020|Vox
He used it as a way to answer a question on if lions have any difficulty breeding in captivity or the wild.
How a 19-year-old lion fathered 35 cubs in 18 months|Tom McNamara|August 27, 2020|Popular Science
Biologists have documented infanticide in numerous species, including lions and many nonhuman primates such as langur monkeys and chimpanzees.
Just Because It’s Natural Doesn’t Mean It’s Good - Issue 89: The Dark Side|David P. Barash|August 19, 2020|Nautilus
You might also become hyper-vigilant about potential dangers — like the proverbial man-eating lion lurking in the tall grass of our ancestors’ savannah.
Is There Really a “Loneliness Epidemic”? (Ep. 407)|Stephen J. Dubner|February 27, 2020|Freakonomics
Indeed, Lion Air, with 45 percent of the domestic Indonesian airline market, has swallowed the Fernandes formula whole.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Two Indonesian airlines, Garuda and Lion Air, have seen Fernandes eat their lunch and are only now responding.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The Lion Air captain had left his rookie copilot to make the landing until he realized he was in trouble.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The airplane was owned by an Indonesian budget carrier, Lion Air.
Who Will Get AsiaAir 8501’s Black Boxes?|Clive Irving|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The lion, unlikely though it seems, becomes a family friend, and the story closes with a moral: Care.
When Activism Is Worse Than Apathy|Nancy Kaffer|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Wild were the plaudits of the multitude, but the lion was staggering and his roar was muffled.
Ulric the Jarl|William O. Stoddard
From the woods and the forests they came, and from the bare hillsides—the lion, the leopard and the trembling fawn.
Children of the Dawn|Elsie Finnimore Buckley
She is a brave girl, and she loves the Lion (Leo); thou sawest how she clung to him, and saved his life.
She|H. Rider Haggard
Merodach's column terminated in a lance head, and the head of a lion crowned that of Nergal.
Myths of Babylonia and Assyria|Donald A. Mackenzie
As the lion bounded away through the assembled party, it appeared as if the ox was not a feather's weight to him.
The Mission|Frederick Marryat
British Dictionary definitions for lion (1 of 2)
lion
/ (ˈlaɪən) /
noun
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 maneRelated adjective: leonine
a conventionalized lion, the principal beast used as an emblem in heraldry. It has become the national emblem of Great Britain
a courageous, strong, or bellicose person
a celebrity or idol who attracts much publicity and a large following
beard the lion in his dento approach a feared or influential person, esp in order to ask a favour
the lion's sharethe largest portion
Word Origin for lion
Old English līo, lēo (Middle English lioun, from Anglo-French liun), both from Latin leo, Greek leōn
British Dictionary definitions for lion (2 of 2)
Lion
/ (ˈlaɪən) /
noun
the Lionthe constellation Leo, the fifth sign of the zodiac