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 engineers did as instructed, but the costume turned out to be a rat, not a coyote. —IEEE Spectrum, 2 Dec. 2024

Species observed slipping through those 4-inch slots at least once included striped skunk, gray fox, raccoon, bobcat, coyote and javelina. —Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 27 Nov. 2024

Keep your dog on a leash or use a coyote vest while walking your canines. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024

At a larger, suburban scale, coyote populations thrived. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, from Nahuatl coyōtl

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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