gray wolf

American  

noun

1. a wolf, Canis lupus, having a usually grizzled, blackish, or whitish coat: formerly common in Eurasia and North America, some subspecies are now reduced in numbers or near extinction.

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Etymology

Origin of gray wolf

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15

Compare meaning

How does gray-wolf compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• timber wolf vs. gray wolf

Example Sentences

Dogs trace their origins to an extinct population of gray wolves that evolved alongside humans during the late Pleistocene about 20,000 years ago.

From Science Daily

In response to a surge in cattle kills across the Sierra Valley, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife euthanized four gray wolves from the Beyem Seyo pack.

From Los Angeles Times

Conservationists were thrilled when the gray wolf returned to California after the apex predators were hunted to near extinction a century ago.

From Los Angeles Times

Hunnicutt, gray wolf coordinator for the agency, was trying to track down one of them — the freshly minted Ashpan pack that consists of at least two wolves roaming eastern Shasta County.

From Los Angeles Times

The state is home to what may be the densest population of black bears in the world, a growing number of gray wolves and ample mountain lions in some regions.

From Los Angeles Times