jackal

noun

jack·​al ˈja-kəl How to pronounce jackal (audio)
 also  -ˌkȯl
1
: any of several small omnivorous canids (such as Canis aureus) of Africa and Asia having large ears, long legs, and bushy tails
2
a
: a person who performs routine or menial tasks for another
b
: a person who serves or collaborates with another especially in the commission of base acts

Examples of jackal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
People across continents might link rainbows with snakes, or see rabbits on the moon, or cast foxes, jackals, and coyotes as tricksters. Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025 At dinner a jackal, smelling oryx steak, came right up to our table and looked with soft-eyed longing at the food, like a beloved pet. Aatish Taseer, Travel + Leisure, 13 Oct. 2025 Anubis, with the head of a jackal, stood at the passage to the underworld. Vanessa Taylor, Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025 For example, the genus Canis includes wolves, dogs, coyotes and jackals. Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jackal

Word History

Etymology

Turkish çakal, from Persian shaqāl, of Indo-Aryan origin; akin to Sanskrit sṛgāla jackal

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of jackal was in 1603

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jackal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jackal. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

jackal

noun
jack·​al ˈjak-əl How to pronounce jackal (audio)
-ˌȯl
: any of several wild dogs of Africa and Asia like but smaller than the related wolves

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