Cougar: meaning, definitions and examples

Cougar is commonly used in North America to refer to a large wild cat found primarily in mountainous regions. It is also widely known in popular culture and general conversation. Informally, it can also have a negative connotation when used to describe an older woman who seeks romantic relationships with much younger men.

• We spotted a cougar near our campsite in the Rockies.
• She was labeled a 'cougar' for dating a man 20 years her junior.

Mountain lion is often used in more formal or technical contexts, particularly when describing the animal in nature documentaries, educational materials, and scientific discussions.

• The mountain lion roams across a wide range of habitats from forests to deserts.
• National parks have taken measures to protect the mountain lion population.

Puma is a term more commonly used outside of North America and in scientific contexts. It's frequently used in South America, where the animal is widely found, and among biologists and zoologists.

• The puma is an incredibly adaptive predator, found in varied ecosystems across the Americas.
• In Argentina, the puma is known as the great hunter of the mountains.