: 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 alsocatamount, mountain lion, panther, puma
2
slang: a middle-aged woman seeking a romantic relationship with a younger partner
in many regions, suburban developments have encroached upon the habitat of the cougar
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But over the next centuries, that changed as humans reshaped the landscape and eliminated predators like wolves, bears and cougars.—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026 To catch a glimpse of the cougar shadow, head to the vicinity of 13th Avenue and Goldfield Road in Apache Junction.—Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026 Deer hear better than humans, but not nearly as well as predators like cougars, which have large, highly developed auditory bullae.—Jeff Wilson, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026 And a cougar attacks in a very different way than a bear does.—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cougar
Word History
Etymology
French couguar, modification of New Latin cuguacuarana, from Tupi sɨwasuarána, from sɨwásu deer + -ran resembling