cheetah

noun

chee·​tah ˈchē-tə 

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

Illustration of cheetah

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

Tagging the Globetrotting travel company, the Fast Five actress shared a carousel of highlights from the safari, including photos of elephants in the wild, horseback riding excursions, and a cheetah darting into a tree—as well as her mini-me. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 28 July 2026

Each type of ciliate occupies a different niche in the rumen, the same way that lions and cheetahs have different roles as predators on the savanna, Tricarico said. — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 27 July 2026

Or, choose from 29 additional colors, including bright red, Kelly green, and even statement-makers like cheetah print and metallic silver. — Claire West, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026

Poaching once devastated the park, but in the past decade, 40,000 wire snares have been removed, and black rhinos, cheetahs, lions and wild dogs have been reintroduced. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 19 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Hindi cītā & Urdu chītā leopard, from Sanskrit citraka, from citra bright, variegated; akin to Old High German heitar bright — more at -hood

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cheetah

• mita
• pita
• rita
• vitta
• amanita
• cucurbita
• emerita
• incognita
• manzanita
• senorita
• amrita
• excreta

Kids 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