jaguar

noun

jag·​uar ˈja-ˌgwär How to pronounce jaguar (audio) -gyə-ˌwär How to pronounce jaguar (audio)
-gwər;
 dialectal  -gwī(-ə)r,
 especially British  ˈja-gyə-wər
plural jaguars also jaguar
: a large cat (Panthera onca) chiefly of Central and South America that is larger and stockier than the leopard and is brownish yellow or buff with black spots

Illustration of jaguar

Illustration of jaguar

Did you know?

The jaguar is the largest New World cat. It was once found in wooded regions from the U.S.-Mexican border south to Patagonia, Currently, the jaguar survives, in reduced numbers, only in remote areas of Central and South America; the largest known population is in the Amazon rain forest. The male is 5.5-9.0 ft. (1.7-2.7 m) long, including the tail, which measures 23-35-in. (60-90-cm) long, and weighs 220-350 lbs. (100-160 kg). The coat is typically orange-tan with black spots arranged in rosettes with a black spot in the center. A solitary predator, the jaguar usually hunts rodents, deer, birds, and fish; it will also take cattle, horses, and dogs.

Examples of jaguar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web To see more animals, take the Five-Star hotel’s tours to the nearby Bird Park, the world’s only facility dedicated to conserving Atlantic rainforest birds, or Bela Vista Biological Sanctuary, which conducts research to help species facing the risk of extinction, like jaguars. Jennifer Kester, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 The majority of jaguars live in the Amazon rainforest. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024 Jordahl said apex predators like jaguars ensure balance in ecosystems and create healthy prey bases. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 25 Jan. 2024 The jaguar’s magic was believed to travel via the navel from the god to the shaman or king to the general welfare. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 1 Feb. 2024 Available in leopard, black jaguar, and zebra print, the new line offers a trendy twist on the breathable cotton canvas sneakers that customers have come to know and love, and each print style is $89. Averi Baudler, Peoplemag, 30 Jan. 2024 Additionally, environmental groups have argued that the train’s planned route may cause deforestation and loss of habitat to local wildlife, including to jaguars and scarlet macaws. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 3 Jan. 2024 Though the gender and age of Miller’s jaguar are unknown, Hart believes the creature is male. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2024 An Arizona man recently captured rare footage of a jaguar roaming the southern part of the Grand Canyon State. Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 11 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jaguar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese, from Tupi jawára large carnivore

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jaguar was in 1604

Dictionary Entries Near jaguar

Cite this Entry

“Jaguar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jaguar. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

jaguar

noun
jag·​uar ˈjag(-yə)-ˌwär How to pronounce jaguar (audio)
: a large yellowish brown black-spotted cat of tropical America that is larger and has a more solid build than the leopard

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