puma

noun

pu·​ma ˈpü-mə How to pronounce puma (audio) ˈpyü- How to pronounce puma (audio)
plural pumas also puma
Synonyms of pumanext
: cougar sense 1
also : the fur or pelt of a cougar

Synonyms of puma

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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.
Makini was a major attraction at the zoo's Big Cat Falls exhibit, which is also home to pumas, tigers and snow leopards. — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 22 Aug. 2026 The tragic ending of the young puma in San Dimas comes three months after a year-old female cougar and a 6-month-old male mountain lion were fatally struck by vehicles. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 The researchers analyzed data from 503 camera traps and 59 GPS collars tracking pumas’ presence in Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula between 2020 and 2025. — Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 5 Aug. 2026 The team also discovered that deer are more active during the day in areas where pumas are present. — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for puma

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Browse Nearby Words

pulwar
puma
pumace
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Cite this Entry

“Puma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puma. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about puma

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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