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

For example, the genus Canis includes wolves, dogs, coyotes and jackals. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025

The photographer managed to snap a photo when one coyote's tail was framing the face of another coyote. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025

Aurora Animal Control Manager Kameron DeBoer previously said her division has noticed more coyote sightings near where there are frequent calls about backyard chickens. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025

The data was then compared with relatives in their family tree, along with the sequences from over 2,500 unrelated canines across multiple breeds, as well as wolves and coyotes. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025

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