griffin

1 of 2

noun (1)

grif·​fin ˈgri-fən How to pronounce griffin (audio)
variants or griffon or less commonly gryphon
: a mythical animal typically having the head, forepart, and wings of an eagle and the body, hind legs, and tail of a lion

Illustration of griffin

Illustration of griffin

gryphon

2 of 2

noun (2)

gryph·​on

variant spelling of griffin

: a mythical animal typically having the head, forepart, and wings of an eagle and the body, hind legs, and tail of a lion

Examples of griffin 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.
Noun
Mythical creatures — griffins and sphinxes — cover the back. — Ryan Brennan april 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026 Mythical creatures — griffins and sphinxes — adorn the back, motifs that speak to the cultural exchanges flowing through the region. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
Mark Witton The gryphon, or griffin, is a legendary creature dating back to classical antiquity, sporting the body, legs, and tail of a lion and the wings, head, and front talons of an eagle. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 25 June 2024 Consider how Tarak tames an enormous gryphon, soaring the height of mountains, then both gorgeous creatures peer at us achieving 3D closeness (without 3D). — Armond White, National Review, 20 Dec. 2023 See All Example Sentences for griffin

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English griffon, from Anglo-French grif, griffun, from Latin gryphus, from Greek gryp-, gryps

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of griffin was in the 14th century

Rhymes for griffin

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Browse Nearby Words

griffe
griffin
Griffin
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Cite this Entry

“Griffin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/griffin. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

griffin

noun
grif·​fin
variants or griffon also gryphon
ˈgrif-ən
: an imaginary animal that is half eagle and half lion

Geographical Definition

Griffin

geographical name

Grif·​fin ˈgri-fən How to pronounce Griffin (audio)
city south-southeast of Atlanta in west central Georgia population 23,643

Biographical Definition

Griffin

biographical name

Grif·​fin ˈgri-fən How to pronounce Griffin (audio)
Walter Burley 1876–1937 American architect

More from Merriam-Webster on griffin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about griffin

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