cougar

noun

cou·​gar ˈkü-gər 

 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

• cougar 1

Synonyms

• catamount
• cat-a-mountain
• mountain lion
• panther
• puma

Examples of cougar in a Sentence

in many regions, suburban developments have encroached upon the habitat of the cougar

Recent Examples on the Web

There had been two cat tracks and two cougars on the orange cliffs behind us. —Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025

Over 25 years of living in Montana, Lyons said the pair marked his 36th and 37th wild cougar sightings. —Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2025

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in a statement warning that bird flu cases were on the rise in the state confirmed two cougars in Clallam County contracted the H5N1 strain of the virus. —Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 25 Dec. 2024

The first cat, a cougar, died on Nov. 23 after showing signs of the illness. —Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 26 Dec. 2024

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

Rhymes for cougar

• huger
• luger

Kids Definition

cougar

noun

cou·​gar ˈkü-gər 

 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