coyote

noun coy·ote \ kī-ˈō-tē , chiefly Western ˈkī-ˌōt \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of coyote

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.

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Recent Examples of coyote from the Web

Distemper often affects dogs (evidence has even been seen in the remains of a 14,000-year-old puppy), but the virus can also infect wild animals, like foxes, wolves, coyotes, tigers—and raccoons.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "‘Zombie-Like’ Raccoons Are Terrorizing Youngstown, Ohio," 6 Apr. 2018
As with coyotes, housing and other developments continue to encroach on their natural habitat.

— vanessa hua, San Francisco Chronicle, "Close encounters of the coyote kind," 28 Mar. 2018
These good hard-working people who have families and ambitions and debts to coyotes?

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "It’s a Wonderful World: The Remaking of California Agriculture," 26 Feb. 2017
If some day roast coyote appeared on the menu, no one would be that surprised.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "Ravioli machine is magical yet blasphemous," 25 Mar. 2018
Expect to find more than 1,200 species of plants, hundreds of species of birds making their migratory journey from south to north or vice versa, and animals such as jackrabbits, coyote, white-tail deer, and foxes.

— nancy trejos, USA TODAY, "The top U.S. wonders to visit this spring," 20 Mar. 2018
Then the coyote starting to whine and was twitching.

— don sweeney, sacbee, "Elusive coyote escapes police gunfire after biting 5-year-old at L.A. college | The Sacramento Bee," 15 Mar. 2018
In the 1980s, the building acquired another nickname, the Coyote Building, as its spire and towering flagpole were said to favor a baying coyote.

— New York Times, "In Chicago, Landmark Hotels Where the Views Are Enchanting," 2 Mar. 2018
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources web site, coyotes are naturally secretive, but are also opportunistic hunters.

— erik s. hanley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Coyote sightings in South Milwaukee on the rise: What to do if face to face with a coyote," 12 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coyote.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.