cougar

noun

cou·​gar ˈkü-gər How to pronounce cougar (audio)
 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

Illustration of cougar

Illustration of cougar
  • cougar 1

Examples of cougar in a Sentence

in many regions, suburban developments have encroached upon the habitat of the cougar
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Originally, she was supposed to play Vivian Pressman, the cougar going after Johnny. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024 Understanding the diets of these rambunctious cats may help prevent conflicts between the carnivores and people, and protect the species upon which dispersing cougars rely. Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 Shrinking Season One never entirely abandoned its core idea in the way that Spin City made Carla Gugino disappear or Cougar Town stopped telling stories about Cox being a cougar. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2024 The mountain lion killed in Wyoming was a cougar recorded by the Boone and Crockett Club. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cougar 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cougar was in 1774

Dictionary Entries Near cougar

Cite this Entry

“Cougar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cougar. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cougar

noun
cou·​gar ˈkü-gər How to pronounce cougar (audio)
 also  -ˌgär
plural cougars also cougar
: a large powerful brownish yellow cat formerly widespread in the Americas but no longer found in many areas

called also catamount, mountain lion, panther, puma

More from Merriam-Webster on cougar

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