variants
or less commonly aoudad sheep
: a wild, chiefly brown bovine (Ammotragus lervia) that is closely related to goats and sheep, is native to dry, rocky, mountainous terrain of North Africa but has been introduced into the southwestern U.S., northern Mexico, and Spain, and has a fringe of long hairs extending from the neck to the inner forelegs and horns that curve outward, back, and down : barbary sheep
… an aoudad from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco bullies its way past a pair of hungry blue-legged ostriches …—
Robert F. Jones
Robert F. JonesExamples of aoudad in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica sometimes looks out her window in the morning and sees turkeys walking around or even an aoudad sheep or two.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
In 1957, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department released 31 aoudad — also known as Barbary sheep — into the Texas Panhandle to increase hunting opportunities.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Given that researchers have already identified aoudad as potential carriers of pneumonia — often without showing symptoms — wildlife officials have reason to watch carefully.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Researchers have identified aoudad as potential carriers of the disease, often without showing symptoms.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Unlike the aoudad, most creatures aren't equipped to master or even overcome the canyon's vertical reaches.
—Joe Yogerst, CNN, 16 June 2021
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Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
In 1957, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department released 31 aoudad — also known as Barbary sheep — into the Texas Panhandle to increase hunting opportunities.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
Given that researchers have already identified aoudad as potential carriers of pneumonia — often without showing symptoms — wildlife officials have reason to watch carefully.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Researchers have identified aoudad as potential carriers of the disease, often without showing symptoms.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
Unlike the aoudad, most creatures aren't equipped to master or even overcome the canyon's vertical reaches.
—Joe Yogerst, CNN, 16 June 2021
Cite this Entry
“Aoudad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aoudad. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aoudad
noun
aou·dad
ˈau̇-ˌdad 
ˈä-u̇-
: a wild sheep of North Africa
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