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

The season this year is all about humanely managing Indiana's growing bobcat population, Erny said, since the species' only real predator other than man is nature. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 13 Nov. 2025

The findings indicate that conflict rose overall during drought, with the strongest increases occurring in mountain lions, coyotes and bobcats, according to the paper. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 12 Nov. 2025

Foxes, bobcats and coyotes can be infected with trichinosis, a parasitic infection. —Stuart Dyos, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025

Tennessee’s big cats are mostly of the bobcat variety, but one wayward mountain lion captured the state’s attention. —Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Oct. 2025

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