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
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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
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One of the pieces in the exhibition is an A-line shag mini dress in cheetah print that Saar made for herself in 1969, and has been passed through the hands of her daughters and granddaughters.
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Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Take a peep at the pool through the secret window in the cheetah-print alcove of the master bedroom.
—Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
In the snap, the mom of three showed off her then-growing baby bump, wearing a cheetah print two-piece pant set.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
They are spread out across six zones, including Red Rocks (tigers, zebra and giraffes), Lakeside Crossing (sea lions, seals and stingrays) and the immersive River’s Edge (elephants, cheetahs and hippos).
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 23 Apr. 2026
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Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Take a peep at the pool through the secret window in the cheetah-print alcove of the master bedroom.
—Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026
In the snap, the mom of three showed off her then-growing baby bump, wearing a cheetah print two-piece pant set.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
They are spread out across six zones, including Red Rocks (tigers, zebra and giraffes), Lakeside Crossing (sea lions, seals and stingrays) and the immersive River’s Edge (elephants, cheetahs and hippos).
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 23 Apr. 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 10 May. 2026.
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cheetah
noun
chee·tah
ˈchēt-ə 
: a long-legged spotted African and formerly Asian cat that is the fastest of all animals on land
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