-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
musk ox
noun
: a heavyset, shaggy-coated, bovid mammal (Ovibos moschatus) of tundra regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska with the males producing a strong musky odor from glands beneath the eyes
Examples of musk ox in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Those pieces include a cougar, a bison, a few deer, and a musk ox.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 1 Feb. 2024
So far, the park is home to reindeer, yakutian horses, moose, bison, musk ox, kalmykian cows, sheep, camels and goats.
—Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2023
There, visitors will be able to spot wildlife from polar bears to musk ox and caribou, as well as experience some of the highest tidal elevations in the world.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2023
News Alaska Wildlife Troopers on Monday killed a musk ox that was posing a threat to the public in Kotzebue, troopers’ spokesperson John Dougherty said.
—Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Aug. 2023
Musk oxen rarely attack humans, but in December 2022, an employee of Alaska’s Department of Public Safety was killed in Nome in an encounter with a musk ox.
—Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Aug. 2023
On Monday, morning, troopers received multiple calls about the musk ox in Kotzebue.
—Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Aug. 2023
Grizzly bears and wolves thrive in the area, while moose, caribou, musk ox, and other species frequently succumb to predation.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 12 July 2023
Subjects range from Gold Rush history to wildlife (musk ox), to details of the last Iditarod race.
—Scott McMurren, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Apr. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'musk ox.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1744, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near musk ox
Cite this Entry
“Musk ox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/musk%20ox. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
musk ox
noun
: a large shaggy-coated wild ox native to Greenland, Canada and Alaska with the males producing a strong odor similar to musk from glands below the eyes
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share