jaguar

noun jag·uar \ ˈja-ˌgwär , -gyə-ˌwär , -gwər ; dialectal -gwī(-ə)r , especially British ˈja-gyə-wər \

Updated on: 21 Apr 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

The powerful muscles in the panda’s cheeks, which ironically give the bear its lovable big round head, evolved to force their way through bamboo’s tough sheath; the strength of their bite is somewhere between that of a lion and a jaguar.

— lucy cooke, WSJ, "The Un-Cuddly Truth About Pandas," 6 Apr. 2018
In addition, his charters catch peacock bass, bluegills, spotted sunfish, shellcrackers, speckled perch, chain pickerel, mudfish and non-native species such as oscars, Mayan cichlids and jaguar guapotes.

— steve waters, miamiherald, "Canal fishing is about to get even better in the coming weeks. And here is why | Miami Herald," 30 Mar. 2018
This assessment ties in with Mayan art, which often depicts kings holding jaguars or feline cubs.

— nell lewis, CNN, "How the ancient Maya reared dogs for food," 23 Mar. 2018
Smaller wildcats in captivity, such as servals or ocelots, are often fed a domestic cat-like diet, while big cats such as jaguars and leopards get meat and animal carcasses.

— National Geographic, "Do Big Cats Get Hairballs?," 17 Mar. 2018
The remains of a large cat, possibly a jaguar, also had a similar diet.

— National Geographic, "Ancient Maya Dog Trade Goes Back 2,400 Years," 19 Mar. 2018
Team Steve, made up of Fame, Jeremy Brown and Roly T-Rex, competed to create a jaguar.

— susan dunne, courant.com, "Willimantic Tattooist Fame Is Sent Home On 'Ink Master'," 16 Mar. 2018
Scientists are trying to learn more about the diverse and unique environment, where jaguars and margays roam the savannah and jungles, and river dolphins swim in the Guayabero River.

— murray carpenter, New York Times, "Scientists Fear for Colombia’s ‘Melted Rainbow’," 26 Feb. 2018
The jaguar goes for 8k and panthers too and the lions go for 5k.

— don sweeney, sacbee, "He had a smuggled tiger cub riding shotgun in his Camaro. Now he’s going to prison | The Sacramento Bee," 22 Feb. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of jaguar

Portuguese, from Tupi jawára large carnivore

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1604

in the meaning defined above

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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

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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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Definition of jaguar for English Language Learners

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