bobcat

1 of 2

noun

bob·​cat ˈbäb-ˌkat How to pronounce bobcat (audio)
: a common North American lynx (Lynx rufus) reddish in base color with dark markings

Illustration of bobcat

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
While Fitzy was roughly 20 feet away from her home's fence, a bobcat came after him. Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024 Indiana bobcat proposed rule changes DNR is proposing a bobcat trapping season in 40 counties in southern Indiana. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Sep. 2024 The groups have also asked the city to address the impacts on wildlife, including deer, bobcats and mountain lions, that travel through the area, asserting that the developers’ plans to not have barriers or fencing were inadequate. Devan Patel, The Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2024 Today, Kiawah Island Golf Resort touts five public world-class golf courses; a luxury hotel, The Sanctuary; 10 miles of pristine beaches that unfurl along the Atlantic; and a wildlife population that includes sea turtles, bobcats, shorebirds, and deer, among others. Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bobcat 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bobcat.' 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

Noun

bob entry 4; from the stubby tail

First Known Use

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bobcat was in 1859

Dictionary Entries Near bobcat

Cite this Entry

“Bobcat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bobcat. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

bobcat

noun
bob·​cat ˈbäb-ˌkat How to pronounce bobcat (audio)
: a common usually rusty-colored North American lynx with dark spots

More from Merriam-Webster on bobcat

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