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

Outdoor cats generally do not live as long as indoor cats and are at risk of trauma from cars, fights with other cats, free-roaming dogs, and predators, such as raccoons and coyotes. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

See the fight Expect to see more of these Arizona animals Because there is cooler weather in the winter months, there might be increases in sightings of coyotes, bobcats and javelinas, according to Game and Fish. —Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 23 Oct. 2024

Texas has experienced two rabies epidemics in animals since 1988: one involving coyotes and dogs in south Texas and the other involving gray foxes in west-central Texas. —Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024

Owens Viani said proponents had also hoped to create buffer zones around agricultural areas, where birds of prey forage and which are part of habitat ranges for mountain lions, coyotes and other animals. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 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