timber wolf

American  

noun

1. the gray wolf, Canis lupus, sometimes designated as the subspecies C. lupus occidentalis: formerly common in northern North America but now greatly reduced in number and rare in the conterminous U.S.

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timber wolf British  

noun

1. Also called: grey wolf.  a variety of the wolf, Canis lupus, having a grey brindled coat and occurring in forested northern regions, esp of North America

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Etymology

Origin of timber wolf

First recorded in 1875–80

Compare meaning

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

• timber wolf vs. gray wolf

Example Sentences

One whole rack bulged with timber wolf pelts.

From New York Times • Nov. 8, 2018

The timber wolf, the bison and the eland all experienced T. R.’s dead aim, although the giant polar bear rug in the otherwise feminine drawing room came courtesy of Robert Peary, the Arctic explorer.

From New York Times • Jul. 9, 2015

Back in the 1940s, according to a book by the former professor Bill Beezley, cheerleaders would bring a timber wolf named State to games.

From New York Times • Oct. 5, 2014

In 1973 the Department of the interior placed the timber wolf on ts endangered species list.

From Time Magazine Archive

I made it all right until I heard a timber wolf howl.

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls