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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The ladies' love for cheetah print has been documented throughout their time in the spotlight — with Kim and Kourtney teaming up for a Dolce & Gabbana SKIMS collaboration that was announced almost one year ago to Friday’s post.
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Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025
The zoo has added 26 animal lanterns, including a giant peacock, black bear, poison dart frogs, cheetahs, a snow leopard and more.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Nov. 2025
More whimsically, it's known for a friendship between a cheetah and Labrador retriever that had a social media moment.
—CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025
Inanna Sarkis Inanna Sarkis paired her medium brown bob with a sunset smoky eye, comprised of earth tones and black cat-eye liner — fitting for her cheetah print dress.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025
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Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025
The zoo has added 26 animal lanterns, including a giant peacock, black bear, poison dart frogs, cheetahs, a snow leopard and more.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Nov. 2025
More whimsically, it's known for a friendship between a cheetah and Labrador retriever that had a social media moment.
—CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025
Inanna Sarkis Inanna Sarkis paired her medium brown bob with a sunset smoky eye, comprised of earth tones and black cat-eye liner — fitting for her cheetah print dress.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cheetah
Cite this Entry
“Cheetah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheetah. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
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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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