dragon

noun

drag·​on ˈdra-gən 

1

archaic : a huge serpent

2

: a mythical animal usually represented as a monstrous winged and scaly serpent or saurian with a crested head and enormous claws

3

: a violent, combative, or very strict person

4

Dragon : draco

5

: something or someone formidable or baneful

dragonish

ˈdra-gə-nish 

adjective

Examples of dragon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another, Koizumi Matajiro, who sported a red-dragon tattoo on his back, had made his name as a tough guy in the dock yards of a naval base. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Eltanin and Rastaban, stars that make up the head of the dragon, are in the far northern sky in October, according to EarthSky. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Readers are thrust into new points of view as each character braves bonding with a dragon. — The Know, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2026

However, the dragon acts like her pet dog, and will just scratch at the door. — Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French dragun, from Latin dracon-, draco serpent, dragon, from Greek drakōn serpent; akin to Old English torht bright, Greek derkesthai to see, look at

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dragon

• dragon fruit
• dragon lady
• dragon's blood
• dragon's teeth
• green dragon
• Komodo dragon

Rhymes for dragon

• agone
• lagan
• waggon
• wagon
• anlagen
• bandwagon
• snapdragon
• procollagen

Kids Definition

dragon

noun

drag·​on ˈdrag-ən 

1

: an imaginary animal usually pictured as a huge serpent or lizard with wings and large claws

2

capitalized : draco

Etymology

Middle English dragon "dragon," from early French dragun (same meaning), from Latin dracon-, draco "serpent, dragon," from Greek drakōn "serpent" — related to rankle