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

The detective had also told Williams, 51, and her sister, 38-year-old Lateisha Wilkinson, both of whom live in Florida, that maybe coyotes were behind the attack, a theory the family was immediately doubtful of. —Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026

Wild video shows a frighteningly close encounter between a Pasadena toddler and a coyote on Monday afternoon, when the boy gets chased back into his home with the animal following close behind. —Jasmine Viel, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026

Suburban sprawl has brought humans and coyotes into increasingly close contact in recent decades as the Los Angeles area has some of the highest coyote population densities in the nation, according to University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. —Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026

Lots of coyotes are out and about in Chicago and its suburbs, and experts say there’s no cause for alarm. —Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 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