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

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

Hannah, a cougar, was brought to the sanctuary as a cub from Wyoming after her mother was killed. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024

Jonathan is a mild-mannered, sweet-as-pie victim and Catherine is a devilish cougar, preying on a young man just trying to backpack through Europe. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 11 Nov. 2024

Instead, drawing on other studies, the scientists show elk numbers were brought down by multiple predators: grizzly and black bears, cougars, wolves, and human hunters. —Byvirginia Morell, science.org, 23 Oct. 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