ocelot

noun

oce·​lot ˈä-sə-ˌlät  ˈō- 

: a medium-sized American wildcat (Leopardus pardalis synonym Felis pardalis) that ranges from Texas to northern Argentina and has a tawny-yellow or grayish coat dotted and striped with black

Illustration of ocelot

Examples of ocelot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a lawsuit filed last month, conservation advocates alleged that the deal would violate federal law and harm plants and animals, including endangered ocelots, in the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 July 2026

When an ocelot begins prowling the neighborhood and a mysterious green light appears in the sky, Bernardo is forced to confront the harsh, uncontrollable nature of growing up. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 13 July 2026

Rio is currently the oldest ocelot in human care — a remarkable achievement for a species that typically lives far shorter lives in captivity. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 12 May 2026

The region even serves as a habitat for the rare jaguar and ocelot. — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Nahuatl ōcēlōtl jaguar

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ocelot

• aeronaut
• aforethought
• afterthought
• apricot
• argonaut
• astronaut
• camelot
• coffeepot
• concordat
• cosmonaut
• entrepot
• flowerpot

Kids Definition

ocelot

noun

oce·​lot ˈäs-ə-ˌlät  ˈō-sə- 

: a medium-sized American wildcat that is found from Texas to northern Argentina and has a tawny yellow or grayish coat marked with black