coyote

noun

coy·​ote kī-ˈō-tē 

chiefly Western

ˈkī-ˌōt 

plural coyotes or coyote

1

: a buff-gray to reddish-gray swift carnivorous mammal (Canis latrans) of North America that is closely related to but smaller than the wolf, has a narrow pointed muzzle and triangular ears, hunts singly or in small groups, and is known for its various distinctive vocalizations (such as barks, yips, and howls)

Note: The coyote is often considered a threat to livestock. Despite being hunted and trapped, the coyote has expanded its original range and is found in all states except Hawaii.

2

slang : one who smuggles immigrants into the U.S.

Illustration of coyote

• coyote 1

Examples of coyote in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists, however, don’t believe this second coyote made a full traverse. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Moving behind some chamisa brush, the coyote was clear enough for the eye to see but elusive on camera; the photographs looked like Cubist art. — Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026

To monitor the animals’ behavior, Sloan and the other researchers put GPS collars on coyotes and swift foxes ahead of this three-year-long project. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 Nov. 2026

Hawley said the majority of conflicts between humans and coyotes occurs when a pet owner tries to save their pet from an attacking coyote. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, from Nahuatl coyōtl

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coyote

• brodie
• dhoti
• doty
• roti
• throaty
• quixote

Kids Definition

coyote

noun

coy·​ote kī-ˈōt-ē  ˈkī-ˌōt 

plural coyotes or coyote

: a tannish gray to reddish gray North American mammal related to but smaller than the wolf