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lion

/ˈlaɪən/
/ˈlaɪən/
IPA guide

Other forms: lions

A lion is a distant relative of your adorable pet kitten: a large, wild cat found in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Male lions have thick, golden-colored manes around their necks.

While the male lion is arguably more striking than the female, it's the females who do nearly all the hunting for a group, or pride, of lions. Tigers are actually larger than lions, making "the king of the beasts" the second-largest wild cat. Because of their strength and power, images of lions are often used as symbols on flags and coats of arms. It's also common to call a strong, courageous person a lion.

Definitions of lion
  1. noun
    large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
    see moresee less
    types:
    lion cub
    a young lion
    lioness
    a female lion
    lionet
    a small or young lion
    type of:
    big cat, cat
    any of several large cats typically able to roar and living in the wild
  2. noun
    a celebrity who is lionized (much sought after)
    synonyms: social lion
    see moresee less
    type of:
    celebrity, famous person
    a widely known person
Pronunciation
US
/ˈlaɪən/
UK
/ˈlaɪən/
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