leopard

noun

leop·​ard ˈle-pərd How to pronounce leopard (audio)
1
a
: a large strong cat (Panthera pardus) of southern Asia and Africa that is adept at climbing and is usually tawny or buff with black spots arranged in rosettes

called also panther

b
: the fur or pelt of a leopard
2
: a heraldic representation of a lion passant guardant

Illustration of leopard

Illustration of leopard
  • leopard 1

Examples of leopard in a Sentence

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.
Prints and Patterns Kate Flannery and Mary Lynn Rajskub bring florals and leopard print to the red carpet at the 1923 season 2 premiere in Los Angeles on Feb. 19. Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025 Amid the usual sea of wintry blacks, grays and layers outside shows, there was also a healthy amount of snakeskin and animal (mostly leopard) prints. Simbarashe Cha, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025 Shearling; leopard; neutrals like brown, gray and oatmeal; luxe fabrics; wrap coats, and great American sportswear. David Moin, WWD, 12 Feb. 2025 The itinerary brings travelers through wondrous landscapes in East Africa hot spots Tanzania and Kenya in search of lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and Cape buffalo. Kathryn Romeyn, AFAR Media, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for leopard

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French lepart, leupart, from Late Latin leopardus, from Greek leopardos, from leōn lion + pardos leopard

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of leopard was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Leopard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leopard. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

leopard

noun
leop·​ard ˈlep-ərd How to pronounce leopard (audio)
: a large strong cat of southern Asia and Africa that has a brownish buff coat with black spots arranged in broken rings

called also panther

More from Merriam-Webster on leopard

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