hyena

noun

hy·​e·​na hī-ˈē-nə 

plural hyenas also hyena

: any of several large strong nocturnal carnivorous Old World mammals (family Hyaenidae) that usually feed as scavengers

hyenic

hī-ˈē-nik 

-ˈe-nik

adjective

Did you know?

There are three species of hyena— doglike carnivores found in Asia and Africa. Actually more closely related to cats than to dogs, hyenas have coarse fur, four toes on each foot, long forelegs, claws that do not retract, and enormously strong jaws and teeth. They live alone or in packs and may be active by night or day. Hyenas are noted for scavenging but will also attack live prey. The spotted, or laughing, hyena, whose calls alternately resemble wailing and maniacal laughter, ranges through much of sub-Saharan Africa. Yellowish or grayish with dark spots, it is about 6½ ft (1.8 m) long, including the 12-in (30-cm) tail, and weighs up to 175 lb (80 kg). The hyena has been known to attack people and even to carry off young children.

Examples of hyena in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By Stephanie Vermillion February 17, 2023 Shivers sped down my spine as a hyena crept into our Jeep’s headlights in the night. —Stephanie Vermillion, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Feb. 2023

Closer to home, morning revealed the footprints of a hyena that, I was told, regularly passes through camp on the way to its lair after the night's hunting. —Aminatta Forna, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2024

You can get used to the hyena, the most conspicuously Surrealist thing about this painting, but the room refuses to be tamed. —Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024

In the clip, a hyena licks the snow, and a tortoise enjoys a watermelon in a faux winter wonderland. —Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 23 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hyane, hyene, borrowed from Anglo-French hyene, borrowed from Latin hyaena "striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena)," borrowed from Greek hýaina, from hy-, hŷs "swine (of either gender, wild or domesticated)" + -aina, noun suffix — more at sow entry 1

Note: The allusion in the name, which could be taken to mean "female swine," is presumably from the animal's supposed resemblance to a hog. For the value of the suffix -aina, see note at baleen.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hyena

• laughing hyena
• spotted hyena

Kids Definition

hyena

noun

hy·​e·​na hī-ˈē-nə 

: any of several large strong Old World mammals that eat flesh and are active at night