cheetah

noun

chee·​tah ˈchē-tə 

plural cheetahs also cheetah

: a long-legged, swift-moving cat (Acinonyx jubatus) about the size of a small leopard with a yellowish to tan coat covered with numerous round to oval black spots and blunt claws that only partially retract and having a current range restricted to Africa and isolated parts of Iran

Illustration of cheetah

Did you know?

A cheetah is a slender, long-legged cat that lives on the plains of Africa and in the Middle East, where it is threatened with extinction. It is the fastest land animal in the world over short distances and can reach a speed of 60 mph (100 kph). Its claws differ from those of other cats in being only partly retractable and lacking protective sheaths. Cheetahs purr rather than roar. Cheetahs grow to about 55 in. (140 cm) long, excluding the 29-31-in. (75-80-cm) tail, and weigh 110-130 lbs. (50-60 kg). Their coarse fur is sandy yellow above, white below, and covered with small black spots; a black streak runs down the face from the corner of each eye.

Examples of cheetah in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The World Wildlife Fund reported that about 6,500 cheetahs are left in the wild. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

While cheetah clocks in 65 mph for short bursts of speed, pronghorns can reach speeds of up to 60 mph, but for longer periods of time. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2024

North America's fastest land animal and the world's second fastest land mammal after cheetahs, pronghorns are ungulates (hoofed animals), and are related to goats and antelope, according to National Wildlife Federation. —Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 14 Nov. 2024

Guests at Mara Siana can look for cheetahs and wildebeest on traditional game drives or safaris taken by balloon or on foot. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Hindi cītā & Urdu chītā leopard, from Sanskrit citraka, from citra bright, variegated; akin to Old High German heitar bright — more at -hood

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cheetah

noun

chee·​tah ˈchēt-ə 

: a long-legged spotted African and formerly Asian cat that is the fastest of all animals on land