gazelle

noun

ga·​zelle gə-ˈzel How to pronounce gazelle (audio)
plural gazelles also gazelle
: any of numerous small to medium graceful and swift African and Asian antelopes (Gazella and related genera)

Illustration of gazelle

Illustration of gazelle

Examples of gazelle 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.
Vast herds of zebra, wildebeest, and gazelle moved across the horizon. — Sherry McAllister, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 The team also found bones from animals such as fallow deer and gazelle. — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 29 June 2026 Wemby and super-young players like Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, who performed on Saturday night with the energy of a gazelle and the court vision of an eagle, are just too good to come up short for long. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 14 June 2026 Built for speed and endurance, Salukis were prized for their ability to hunt in punishing desert heat, tracking and taking down gazelles across vast terrain. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gazelle

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, from Arabic ghazāl

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gazelle was in 1600

Phrases Containing gazelle

Rhymes for gazelle

See All Rhymes for gazelle

Browse Nearby Words

Gazella
gazelle
gazelle-eyed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gazelle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gazelle. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gazelle

noun
ga·​zelle gə-ˈzel How to pronounce gazelle (audio)
plural gazelles also gazelle
: any of numerous small graceful swift antelopes of Africa and Asia

More from Merriam-Webster on gazelle

Nglish: Translation of gazelle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gazelle

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