Illustration of jaguar
plural jaguars also jaguar
: a large cat (Panthera onca) chiefly of Central and South America that is larger and stockier than the leopard and is brownish yellow or buff with black spots
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The jaguar is the largest New World cat. It was once found in wooded regions from the U.S.-Mexican border south to Patagonia, Currently, the jaguar survives, in reduced numbers, only in remote areas of Central and South America; the largest known population is in the Amazon rain forest. The male is 5.5-9.0 ft. (1.7-2.7 m) long, including the tail, which measures 23-35-in. (60-90-cm) long, and weighs 220-350 lbs. (100-160 kg). The coat is typically orange-tan with black spots arranged in rosettes with a black spot in the center. A solitary predator, the jaguar usually hunts rodents, deer, birds, and fish; it will also take cattle, horses, and dogs.
Examples of jaguar in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One mythological concept the Aztecs had about an eclipse was that the sun disappeared because a jaguar was going to eat it.
—
Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
In the last 30 years, eight jaguars have been seen in the U.S., with the most recent sighting of a new jaguar in December 2023.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 25 Jan. 2024
An endangered jaguar, for instance, recently traversed the Santa Ritas for years.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024
Wildlife viewing is stellar, including scarlet macaws, tapirs, jaguars and crocodiles.
—Roger Sands, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
The jaguar showed off its canines to the camera as the light reflected off its glowing eyes.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2024
To see more animals, take the Five-Star hotel’s tours to the nearby Bird Park, the world’s only facility dedicated to conserving Atlantic rainforest birds, or Bela Vista Biological Sanctuary, which conducts research to help species facing the risk of extinction, like jaguars.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
The majority of jaguars live in the Amazon rainforest.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024
Jordahl said apex predators like jaguars ensure balance in ecosystems and create healthy prey bases.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 25 Jan. 2024
Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
In the last 30 years, eight jaguars have been seen in the U.S., with the most recent sighting of a new jaguar in December 2023.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 25 Jan. 2024
An endangered jaguar, for instance, recently traversed the Santa Ritas for years.
—Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024
Wildlife viewing is stellar, including scarlet macaws, tapirs, jaguars and crocodiles.
—Roger Sands, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
The jaguar showed off its canines to the camera as the light reflected off its glowing eyes.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2024
To see more animals, take the Five-Star hotel’s tours to the nearby Bird Park, the world’s only facility dedicated to conserving Atlantic rainforest birds, or Bela Vista Biological Sanctuary, which conducts research to help species facing the risk of extinction, like jaguars.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
The majority of jaguars live in the Amazon rainforest.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024
Jordahl said apex predators like jaguars ensure balance in ecosystems and create healthy prey bases.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 25 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jaguar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Portuguese, from Tupi jawára large carnivore
First Known Use
1604, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Jaguar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jaguar. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
jaguar
noun
jag·uar
ˈjag(-yə)-ˌwär 
: a large yellowish brown black-spotted cat of tropical America that is larger and has a more solid build than the leopard
More from Merriam-Webster on jaguar
Nglish: Translation of jaguar for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about jaguar
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