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.
Lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, clouded leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars and any hybrid of these species is protected. — Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 28 Aug. 2026 The cat haven has been operating for 28 years and houses 39 cat species, including cheetahs, bobcats, clouded leopards, cougars and snow leopards. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Makini was a major attraction at the zoo's Big Cat Falls exhibit, which is also home to pumas, tigers and snow leopards. — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 22 Aug. 2026 Their journey highlights the power of women’s voices in conservation, the producers said, with the hope of shaping a better future for themselves and the elusive snow leopards. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026 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

Rhymes for snow leopard

See All Rhymes for snow leopard

Browse Nearby Words

snow lemming
snow leopard
snowless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snow leopard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snow%20leopard. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

snow leopard

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

More from Merriam-Webster on snow leopard

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about snow leopard

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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