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Definition of javelina

javelina

/ˌhɑːvəˈliːnə/
jav · e · li · na
Plural:javelinas
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javelina Lexical Profile

javelina Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A medium-sized, pig-like hoofed mammal native to the deserts and scrublands of the Americas, characterized by a large head, coarse grayish-black hair, and a distinct white collar of fur around the neck.

Example

"While hiking in the Sonoran Desert, the group spotted a small herd of javelinas foraging for prickly pear cactus."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for javelina

Word Nuance & Usage

Although they physically resemble and are often mistakenly called wild pigs or boars, javelinas belong to a separate biological family (Tayassuidae) and are not classified as true pigs.

• Rhymes for javelina

• Nearby Words

javary
javelin
javelin sand boa
javelina
jaw
jawbone
jawbox

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Mexican Spanish 'jabalina' (wild sow), which ultimately derives from the Arabic 'jabalī', meaning 'of the mountain' or 'wild'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Javelina. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/javelina
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