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
Did you know?
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
Recent Examples on the Web
According to the organization, cheetah births in North America have increased by 85% because of the program, which facilitates cheetah breeding across a network of zoos.
—
Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 May 2024
Blige has always created memorable moments whether she’s clad in Fendi, a monochromatic look, or a cheetah print outfit.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for cheetah 
Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 2 May 2024
Blige has always created memorable moments whether she’s clad in Fendi, a monochromatic look, or a cheetah print outfit.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for cheetah
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cheetah.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cheetah
Cite this Entry
“Cheetah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheetah. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share