bobcat

1 of 2

noun

bob·​cat ˈbäb-ˌkat 

: a common North American lynx (Lynx rufus) reddish in base color with dark markings

Illustration of bobcat

Bobcat

2 of 2

trademark

—used for a small 4-wheeled or tracklaying work vehicle (as for excavating or for lifting and moving loads)

Examples of bobcat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That ballot measure would have banned the hunting and trapping of mountain lions and bobcats in Colorado, and it was also soundly rejected by the state’s voters. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026

Those are 17 species including fox, bobcat, beaver, raccoon and coyote. —Olivia Young, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026

Some mammal species are highly susceptible to HPAI, including domestic cats, skunks, foxes, raccoons, bobcats, mountain lions and black bears. —Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026

Watch for wildlife, too—though many animals hibernate, foxes and bobcats remain active all winter. —Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

bob entry 4; from the stubby tail

First Known Use

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bobcat

• begat
• chitchat
• doormat
• ducat
• eclat
• format
• hazmat
• muskrat
• nonfat
• polecat
• thereat
• tomcat

Kids Definition

bobcat

noun

bob·​cat ˈbäb-ˌkat 

: a common usually rusty-colored North American lynx with dark spots