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

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

The geologist confirmed the hunters killed a buffalo, bear and a cougar to feed the dogs while the men were away from home. —Buckley T. Foster Special To The Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 29 Sep. 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

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