bobcat

1 of 2

noun

bob·​cat ˈbäb-ˌkat 

: a common North American lynx (Lynx rufus) reddish in base color with dark markings

Illustration of bobcat

Bobcat

2 of 2

trademark

—used for a small 4-wheeled or tracklaying work vehicle (as for excavating or for lifting and moving loads)

Examples of bobcat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Instead, the needles were created from the bones of red foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, lynx, the now-extinct American cheetah, and hares or rabbits, the study found. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 4 Dec. 2024

That goes for deer, fox, bobcat, bears and other animals. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024

The company handles wildlife that shows up in unexpected, and often unwelcome spaces, and frequently posts social media videos of its encounters featuring creatures like bobcats, wild boars, skunks, raccoons and rattlesnakes. —Leslie Katz, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Further, while rural turkeys contend with predators like coyotes and bobcats, their city cousins rarely have to worry about these threats. —Anne Readel, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

bob entry 4; from the stubby tail

First Known Use

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bobcat

noun

bob·​cat ˈbäb-ˌkat 

: a common usually rusty-colored North American lynx with dark spots