coyote

noun

coy·​ote kī-ˈō-tē 

chiefly Western

ˈkī-ˌōt 

plural coyotes or coyote

1

: a buff-gray to reddish-gray swift carnivorous mammal (Canis latrans) of North America that is closely related to but smaller than the wolf, has a narrow pointed muzzle and triangular ears, hunts singly or in small groups, and is known for its various distinctive vocalizations (such as barks, yips, and howls)

Note: The coyote is often considered a threat to livestock. Despite being hunted and trapped, the coyote has expanded its original range and is found in all states except Hawaii.

2

slang : one who smuggles immigrants into the U.S.

Illustration of coyote

• coyote 1

Examples of coyote in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The boys, Ennis del Mar and Jack Twist, not yet twenty years old, have taken summer jobs guarding sheep from coyotes in the Wyoming wilderness. —Michael Cunningham, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025

Are coyotes an invasive species in Florida? Final Thoughts on Invasive Species There are a lot of cool critters in Florida, both native and non-native. —Alan Clemons, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025

Listen to this article Four Chicago teens are charged with killing a coyote pup by shooting it with a bow and arrow, then stomping it to death in an incident that has a neighborhood reeling. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025

Officers were called to the scene in the city’s Mt. Greenwood neighborhood on Jan. 11 after witnesses reported seeing multiple boys allegedly abusing a coyote, Chicago police told local ABC7. —Nicole Acosta, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, from Nahuatl coyōtl

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coyote

• brodie
• dhoti
• doty
• roti
• throaty
• quixote

Kids Definition

coyote

noun

coy·​ote kī-ˈōt-ē  ˈkī-ˌōt 

plural coyotes or coyote

: a tannish gray to reddish gray North American mammal related to but smaller than the wolf