Illustration of cheetah
plural cheetahs also cheetah
: a long-legged, swift-moving cat (Acinonyx jubatus) about the size of a small leopard with a yellowish to tan coat covered with numerous round to oval black spots and blunt claws that only partially retract and having a current range restricted to Africa and isolated parts of Iran
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A cheetah is a slender, long-legged cat that lives on the plains of Africa and in the Middle East, where it is threatened with extinction. It is the fastest land animal in the world over short distances and can reach a speed of 60 mph (100 kph). Its claws differ from those of other cats in being only partly retractable and lacking protective sheaths. Cheetahs purr rather than roar. Cheetahs grow to about 55 in. (140 cm) long, excluding the 29-31-in. (75-80-cm) tail, and weigh 110-130 lbs. (50-60 kg). Their coarse fur is sandy yellow above, white below, and covered with small black spots; a black streak runs down the face from the corner of each eye.
Examples of cheetah in a Sentence
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In an Instagram posted on Wednesday, April 30, Close, 78, shared a photo of herself prior to attending the show dressed in a black top with a cheetah print jacket.
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Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
While cow and tortoise nails dominated the beginning of the year, cheetah prints are set to get the most nail time this summer.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 28 Apr. 2025
In fact, animal print (whether leopard, cheetah, zebra, snakeskin, and beyond) is considered a wardrobe staple.
—Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 13 Feb. 2025
The dress code flitted from leather, to latex and cheetah print.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2024
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Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
While cow and tortoise nails dominated the beginning of the year, cheetah prints are set to get the most nail time this summer.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 28 Apr. 2025
In fact, animal print (whether leopard, cheetah, zebra, snakeskin, and beyond) is considered a wardrobe staple.
—Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 13 Feb. 2025
The dress code flitted from leather, to latex and cheetah print.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cheetah
Cite this Entry
“Cheetah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheetah. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cheetah
noun
chee·tah
ˈchēt-ə 
: a long-legged spotted African and formerly Asian cat that is the fastest of all animals on land
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