snow leopard

noun

: a large cat (Panthera uncia synonym Uncia uncia) of upland central Asia with long heavy grayish-white fur irregularly marked with brownish-black spots, rosettes, and rings

Illustration of snow leopard

Illustration of snow leopard

Examples of snow leopard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While Mongolia is home to majestic mammals ranging from the snow leopard to the Przewalski’s horse, few native animals can match the grandeur of the golden eagle. Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025 While poaching and a loss of natural prey also contribute to the snow leopard’s decline, communities are working to foster peaceful coexistence between herders and wildlife. Troy Aidan Sambajon, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2025 Dahal of Druk Investments and Holdings admits Bhutan will need to build reservoir dams to maximize its hydropower potential, alarming environmentalists already worried about how the GMC will affect Bhutan’s endangered monkeys, tigers, rhinoceros, blue sheep, and snow leopards. By Charlie Campbell/gelephu, Bhutan, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025 The new study, which examines fossils of five snow leopards from China, France, and Portugal now connects the leopard of Algar da Manga Larga to the ancient snow leopard lineage in Western Europe. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for snow leopard

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snow leopard was in 1866

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Cite this Entry

“Snow leopard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snow%20leopard. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

snow leopard

noun
: a large cat of central Asia with long heavy grayish white fur marked with brownish black spots and rings

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