Illustration of cheetah
plural cheetahs also cheetah
: a long-legged, swift-moving cat (Acinonyx jubatus) about the size of a small leopard with a yellowish to tan coat covered with numerous round to oval black spots and blunt claws that only partially retract and having a current range restricted to Africa and isolated parts of Iran
Did you know?
A cheetah is a slender, long-legged cat that lives on the plains of Africa and in the Middle East, where it is threatened with extinction. It is the fastest land animal in the world over short distances and can reach a speed of 60 mph (100 kph). Its claws differ from those of other cats in being only partly retractable and lacking protective sheaths. Cheetahs purr rather than roar. Cheetahs grow to about 55 in. (140 cm) long, excluding the 29-31-in. (75-80-cm) tail, and weigh 110-130 lbs. (50-60 kg). Their coarse fur is sandy yellow above, white below, and covered with small black spots; a black streak runs down the face from the corner of each eye.
Examples of cheetah in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By fall, tortoiseshell and cheetah prints were gaining steam, and now winter has seen lace and plaid become standouts.
—
Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Researchers excavated seven mummies along with the bones of 54 other cheetahs from a site near the city of Arar.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Activities on offer range from safaris (expect cheetahs and giraffes) and nature walks showcasing the beauty of the United Arab Emirates to archery classes and history tours.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2026
For reference, the only species alive today as fast as this is the cheetah.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cheetah
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.
Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026
Researchers excavated seven mummies along with the bones of 54 other cheetahs from a site near the city of Arar.
—Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Activities on offer range from safaris (expect cheetahs and giraffes) and nature walks showcasing the beauty of the United Arab Emirates to archery classes and history tours.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2026
For reference, the only species alive today as fast as this is the cheetah.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cheetah
Cite this Entry
“Cheetah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheetah. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cheetah
noun
chee·tah
ˈchēt-ə 
: a long-legged spotted African and formerly Asian cat that is the fastest of all animals on land
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
