puma

noun

plural pumas also puma
: cougar sense 1
also : the fur or pelt of a cougar

Examples of puma in a Sentence

adult pumas can sometimes weigh over 200 pounds
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.
The award-winning, sustainable dome hotel offers all-inclusive programs which can include trekking the iconic W trail, tracking pumas or wild horses, or even practicing yoga in the shadow of the Paine Towers. AFAR Media, 23 Dec. 2024 Characteristics of panthers Florida panthers resemble the cougars and pumas found in the American West, with beige or tan fur and white markings underneath. CBS News, 3 Mar. 2025 By 2007, a family of pumas likely killed thousands of Magellanic penguins (MP), over the course of several nesting seasons along the wild coastline of Argentine Patagonia. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025 But experts said that the killing of the puma was probably the only responsible answer. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for puma

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of puma was in 1774

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Puma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puma. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

puma

noun
pu·​ma ˈp(y)ü-mə How to pronounce puma (audio)
plural pumas also puma
: cougar

More from Merriam-Webster on puma

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!