jackrabbit

noun

jack·​rab·​bit ˈjak-ˌra-bət How to pronounce jackrabbit (audio)
: any of several large hares (genus Lepus) of western North America having very long ears and long hind legs

Examples of jackrabbit 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.
Keep your eyes peeled along the way for native wildlife, such as jackrabbits and coyotes below, or hawks riding thermals up in the sky. Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025 Others have questioned if the rabbits with the growths could be jackalopes, a cryptid from American lore which is said to have the body of a jackrabbit and the horns of an antelope, per The Smithsonian. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025 On Wednesday, behind the office building where there are wall friezes created by McGraw-Hill, shy deer and a jackrabbit darted away. Richard Halstead, Mercury News, 31 July 2025 Davis also points out that corporate profits are now extremely high by historical levels, and hence won’t grow nearly as fast from here as their jackrabbit pace of recent years. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for jackrabbit

Word History

Etymology

jack entry 1 (jackass) + rabbit; from its long ears

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jackrabbit was in 1863

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Cite this Entry

“Jackrabbit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jackrabbit. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

jackrabbit

noun
jack·​rab·​bit -ˌrab-ət How to pronounce jackrabbit (audio)
: any of several large hares of western North America with very long ears and long hind legs
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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