English Reference
Noun

stallion

n. countable
C1 Advanced US /ˈstæɫjən/ UK /stˈæliən/ stal·lion UK spelling stallions

n.an adult male horse that has not been neutered and is able to father young horses.

n.an uncastrated adult male horse, typically kept for breeding purposes.


SIMPLE

The black stallion ran across the field.

CONTEXTUAL

The farm owner decided to keep the stallion in a separate paddock to prevent any fighting with the other horses.

COMPLEX

Prized for his exceptional lineage and powerful build, the stallion was retired from racing to begin a lucrative second career at the stud farm.

Usage

Often used in the context of horse breeding or equestrian sports to distinguish from a gelding or mare.

She emerges, to recount her origin story, as the progeny of her mum’s unlikely tryst with a stallion called Shimmer.

The Guardian· 14 Aug 2026

From Middle English stalion, from Middle French estalon (whence modern French étalon), of Germanic origin, akin to stall. Displaced native Old English henġest.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin gem -
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated