dehorn

verb

de·​horn (ˌ)dē-ˈhȯrn How to pronounce dehorn (audio)
dehorned; dehorning; dehorns

transitive verb

1
: to deprive of horns
2
: to prevent the growth of the horns of
dehorner noun

Examples of dehorn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web An article on Tuesday about black rhinos stated incorrectly the amount of territory lost by two rhinos after they were dehorned. New York Times, 14 June 2023 Wildlife managers first started to dehorn rhinos in Namibia in 1989. Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 12 June 2023 Before being released, the animals were dehorned, to discourage poachers from attacking them. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 26 July 2019 The total annual cost to the government would have been around 15 million francs, and dehorning would have still been allowed. Brian Blackstone, WSJ, 25 Nov. 2018 After protracted litigation, South Africa’s highest court in 2017 came down on the side of dehorning, lifting the ban on trading horn within the country. Jason Florio, Smithsonian, 22 May 2018 Even so, conservationists remain divided over some issues, particularly whether to dehorn rhinos—and what to do with the horn. Jason Florio, Smithsonian, 22 May 2018 Unlike the rhinos dehorned on Hume’s ranch, those that cross paths with poachers do not walk away. Rachel Nuwer, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2016 In October, a heartbreaking image of a slain and dehorned rhino won the 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition, an annual contest hosted by the National History Museum in London. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 22 Feb. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dehorn.' 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

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dehorn was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near dehorn

Cite this Entry

“Dehorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dehorn. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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