HOW TO PRONOUNCE
lion
/ˈlaɪən/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:05
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What does lion mean?
noun
- A big cat, Panthera leo, native to Africa, India and formerly much of Europe.
- A male lion, as opposed to a lioness, which is characterized by having a flowing shaggy mane and taking little part in hunting, which can be done cooperatively.
- Any of various extant and extinct big cats, especially the mountain lion.
More meanings (11)
noun
- A Chinese foo dog.
- A person who shows attributes associated with the lion, such as strength, courage, or ferocity.
- A famous person regarded with interest and curiosity.
- A light brown color that resembles the fur of a lion.
- A player for National Football League's Detroit Lions.
- A player for Canadian Football League's B.C. Lions.
- A player for the England football team.
- A player or supporter of the Brisbane Lions.
- (historical) An old Scottish coin, with a lion on the obverse, worth 74 shillings.
adjective
- Of the light brown color that resembles the fur of a lion.
proper noun
- The constellation and zodiacal sign Leo.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈlaɪən/
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
They followed the bend of the river, and at last came upon their friend the Lion, lying fast asleep among the poppies.
He thought himself stronger than he was, and believed that he could play at the game of the mouse and the lion.
More book examples (3)
My Arabs were somewhat excited one day by discovering the fresh print of a foot—the foot, as they said, of a lion.
But at last a day came when the Lion was nearer still and the little mother Jackal was frightened about to death.
I was offered a young lion yesterday, but I hardly think it would be an agreeable addition to the household at Esher.