Illustration 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
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.
Examples of jaguar in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Vinicius Romancini, the hotel’s art concierge, says his favorites include wooden stools carved in the shape of jaguars, tapirs, and other native creatures.
—
Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
Though endangered, wild jaguars are still found across Mexico and are a popular fixture in Mesoamerican art.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
The playful creatures are prey to foxes, jaguars, and even at times humans, but tend to eat insects, plants, roots and smaller vertebrates, the zoo said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2025
From elusive jaguars to saguaro cactus, the changing climate is taking its toll on some of Arizona’s most iconic species, even those who have adapted to the desert heat over thousands of years.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jaguar
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.
Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
Though endangered, wild jaguars are still found across Mexico and are a popular fixture in Mesoamerican art.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
The playful creatures are prey to foxes, jaguars, and even at times humans, but tend to eat insects, plants, roots and smaller vertebrates, the zoo said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2025
From elusive jaguars to saguaro cactus, the changing climate is taking its toll on some of Arizona’s most iconic species, even those who have adapted to the desert heat over thousands of years.
—John Leos, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jaguar
Cite this Entry
“Jaguar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jaguar. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
jaguar
noun
jag·uar
ˈjag(-yə)-ˌwär 
: a large yellowish brown black-spotted cat of tropical America that is larger and has a more solid build than the leopard
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share