gray wolf

noun

: a large, broad-headed, wide-muzzled wolf (Canis lupus) that has a dense, heavy coat of usually light brown or brownish gray interspersed with black above and yellowish white below and that was formerly widely distributed throughout North America and Eurasia but is now greatly restricted to the more northerly parts of its range

The only sizable gray wolf population south of Canada and Alaska continues to roam the forest-and-lake country of northern Minnesota.

—Vic Banks

Note: The gray wolf has been considered a threat to livestock and people for hundreds of years and has been wiped out from most of its original range by hunting, trapping, and poisoning.

called also timber wolf

Illustration of gray wolf

Examples of gray wolf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Axel Hunnicutt, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's gray wolf coordinator, said that the Diamond pack's presence is part of the ongoing southern movement of wolves. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

State wildlife officials have confirmed the presence of two new gray wolf packs in Northern California, and estimate there are now at least 70 of the endangered apex predators roaming the state — up from 44 documented last year. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024

In this unique world, the gray wolf Legoshi and his classmates attend the Cherryton Academy, where all students stay in dormitories. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024

Nestled amid sticks and tufts of soft hair were two endangered Mexican gray wolf pups. —Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

gray wolf

noun

: a large wolf of northern regions that is usually gray

called also timber wolf