roar

A roar is a loud, low-pitched vocalization produced by certain animals, most notably large carnivores such as lions, tigers, leopards, and bears. In human language, roar is also a verb and a noun used to describe a deep, powerful cry or shout, and the term is often treated as onomatopoeic.

In the wild, roars serve several purposes: defending territory, deterring rivals, attracting mates, and coordinating group movements. Lions are especially known for their impressive roars, which can carry over long distances and help warn neighboring prides or gather members. Other big cats produce roar-like vocalizations that vary in frequency and length. Bears and some other large mammals also use deep, resonant vocalizations as threats or communication signals.

Mechanically, roaring involves the vocal cords and a flexible larynx, aided by a specially structured hyoid apparatus in many predators. This anatomy allows the vocal tract to extend and resonate, producing a powerful, far-reaching sound even when the animal’s mouth is partly closed. The exact characteristics of a roar depend on anatomy, control of breath and chest muscles, and environmental acoustics.

Culturally, roars symbolize power, danger, and primal strength in media and literature. In language, roar functions as a descriptive term and as an onomatopoeic reference to such sounds, with various languages offering different equivalents for animal roars and human-imagined equivalents.