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 county health department is also continuing to distribute oral rabies vaccines as part of efforts to control the spread of rabies among wildlife, including raccoons and coyotes. — Ashley Paul, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Residents are advised not to approach, follow, corner or attempt to interact with coyotes. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026

Long is on Zoom, from her home in Los Angeles and seated at her kitchen counter with the sliding doors behind her, where a custodian is cleaning the deck that coyotes keep fouling. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

An Arizona mom out in her neighborhood flying a kite with her 4-year-old daughter a couple of Sundays ago found herself in a fight with a coyote that refused to back down. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 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