: any of several wildcats with relatively long legs, a short stubby tail, mottled coat, and usually tufted ears that are thought to comprise a distinct genus (Lynx) of the cat family or to be part of a genus (Felis) that includes the domestic cat and cougar: such as
: a North American lynx (L. canadensis) distinguished from the bobcat by its larger size, longer tufted ears, and wholly black tail tip
called alsoCanadian lynx
2
Lynxastronomy: a dim northern constellation that is visible between the constellations of Ursa Major and Gemini and that is represented by the figure of a lynx
… Johannes Hevelius named this new constellation Lynx because only an observer with "the eyes of a lynx" could see its faint shape.—Richard Berry
Illustration of lynx
Examples of lynx in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebThe same goes for crocodiles, caimans, any wild cat species like bobcats and lynxes, any wolves or wolf/dog hybrids, or native wild animals like raccoons, skunks and foxes.—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2024 One good option is substances that come from coyotes, lynxes, foxes, and other predators.—Byphie Jacobs, science.org, 27 Mar. 2024 The feet of lynx have been found with human remains before, according to the study, likely attached to furs worn by the deceased, but none of the bones found in Zamárdi had marks suggesting the animal was skinned.—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024 Jaguars, leopard frogs, condors:Here are some of Arizona's most imperiled species
Is a bobcat the same as a lynx?—The Arizona Republic, 25 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lynx
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lynx.' 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
Middle English, from Latin, from Greek; akin to Old English lox lynx and probably to Greek leukos white — more at light
: a large North American wildcat with rather long legs, a short stubby black-tipped tail, a coat marked with spots and blotches, soft fur, ears with small bunches of long fur at the tip, and large padded feet
Share