dragon

noun

drag·​on ˈdra-gən How to pronounce dragon (audio)
1
archaic : a huge serpent
2
: a mythical animal usually represented as a monstrous winged and scaly serpent or saurian with a crested head and enormous claws
3
: a violent, combative, or very strict person
4
capitalized : draco
5
: something or someone formidable or baneful
dragonish adjective

Examples of dragon in a Sentence

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.
In all, Arndt and his neighbor rescued 15 people, 10 pets, and a bearded dragon, Morris said. Jess Craig, Vox, 17 Nov. 2024 The animals most affected included large lizards like land mullets and eastern water dragons and snakes like the red-bellied blacksnake. Scott Travers, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Eyes peered out from behind the trees, and visitors soon spotted sculpted wildlife such as elephants, dragons and giant turtles. Lanta Davis and Vince Reighard, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024 But the potential payoff—unlimited clean power—has prompted around 50 startups to chase this dragon. Steven Levy, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dragon 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French dragun, from Latin dracon-, draco serpent, dragon, from Greek drakōn serpent; akin to Old English torht bright, Greek derkesthai to see, look at

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dragon was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near dragon

Cite this Entry

“Dragon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dragon. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

dragon

noun
drag·​on ˈdrag-ən How to pronounce dragon (audio)
1
: an imaginary animal usually pictured as a huge serpent or lizard with wings and large claws
2
capitalized : draco
Etymology

Middle English dragon "dragon," from early French dragun (same meaning), from Latin dracon-, draco "serpent, dragon," from Greek drakōn "serpent" — related to rankle

More from Merriam-Webster on dragon

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