a large spotted feline of tropical America similar to the leopard; in some classifications considered a member of the genus Felis
"The hunter tracked the rare panther through the dense rainforest, knowing it was a distinctive spotted cat native to tropical America."
a leopard in the black color phase
"The sleek panther vanished silently into the shadows of the jungle."
large American feline resembling a lion
"The majestic panther prowled silently through the tall grass, its spotted coat blending perfectly into the shadows of the forest."
Any of various big cats with black fur; most especially, the black-coated leopard of India.
"The activist was arrested while protesting as a dedicated panther alongside her fellow members of the party."
A member of the Black Panther Party, White Panther Party or Gray Panthers.
In plain English: A panther is usually just another name for a large black leopard or jaguar that lives in forests and hunts other animals.
"The black panther silently stalked through the tall grass in search of prey."
Usage: Use panther to refer specifically to large black cats like leopards or jaguars rather than using it as a general term for any wild cat. While often confused with tigers due to similar size and coloration, remember that true panthers are distinct species within the big cat family.
The word "panther" entered English through the path of Middle and Old French before arriving from its Latin root. It ultimately traces back to an Ancient Greek term that originally meant a spotted wild cat.