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
Left behind in Big Bear were the bears, bobcats, mountain lions, snow leopards, and wolves, who were moved inside where they were protected by HVAC systems and air-scrubbers. Jaimie Ding and Jae Hong, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Sep. 2024 About 26 animals remained behind in Big Bear, including bears, bobcats, mountain lions, snow leopards and wolves. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024 Over the next two years, those cameras captured more than 300,000 images and videos showing deer, elk, fishers, mountain lions, bobcats, and a variety of birds and small mammals — information essential for ODOT to begin designing a crossover structure appropriate to local animal populations. John Riha, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2024 The new rules allow each trapper to take one bobcat per season, with the statewide harvest capped at 250 bobcats. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Sep. 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 4 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

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