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jaguar

noun jag·uar \ ˈja-ˌgwär , -gyə-ˌwär , -gwər ; dialectal -gwī(-ə)r , especially British ˈja-gyə-wər \
|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Definition of jaguar

plural jaguars also jaguar
: a large cat (Panthera onca) chiefly of Central and South America that is larger and stockier than the leopard and is brownish yellow or buff with black spots

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Recent Examples of jaguar from the Web

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

Did You Know?

The jaguar is the largest New World cat. It was once found in wooded regions from the U.S.-Mexican border south to Patagonia, Currently, the jaguar survives, in reduced numbers, only in remote areas of Central and South America; the largest known population is in the Amazon rain forest. The male is 5.5-9.0 ft. (1.7-2.7 m) long, including the tail, which measures 23-35-in. (60-90-cm) long, and weighs 220-350 lbs. (100-160 kg). The coat is typically orange-tan with black spots arranged in rosettes with a black spot in the center. A solitary predator, the jaguar usually hunts rodents, deer, birds, and fish; it will also take cattle, horses, and dogs.

Illustration of jaguar

illustration of jaguar

Origin and Etymology of jaguar

Portuguese, from Tupi jawára large carnivore

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

JAGUAR Defined for English Language Learners

jaguar

noun

Definition of jaguar for English Language Learners

  • : a large, brown, wild cat with black spots that lives in Central and South America

JAGUAR Defined for Kids

jaguar

noun jag·uar \ ˈjag-ˌwär \

Definition of jaguar for Students

: a large yellowish brown black-spotted animal of the cat family found chiefly from Mexico to Argentina

Learn More about jaguar

  1. See words that rhyme with jaguar Spanish Central: Translation of jaguar Nglish: Translation of jaguar for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about jaguar

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