pronghorn

noun

prong·​horn ˈprȯŋ-ˌhȯrn 

ˈpräŋ-

variants or less commonly pronghorn antelope

plural pronghorn or pronghorns also pronghorn antelope or pronghorn antelopes

: a swift horned ruminant mammal (Antilocapra americana) chiefly of grasslands and deserts of western North America that has a slender lean build and horns that in males grow to 10-16 inches (25-41 cm) long and have an additional forward-facing prong and in females grow to 1-2 inches (2-5 cm) long and lack a prong

Note: Although the pronghorn is sometimes informally called the pronghorn antelope or less commonly the American antelope, it belongs to a different family than true antelope and is the only living species of its family (Antilocapridae).

Illustration of pronghorn

Examples of pronghorn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Data highlighted in the conservation framework report show one pronghorn herd in the Shotgun Valley north of Idaho Falls migrates primarily across private land. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 2 June 2026

Bighorn sheep, elk, and pronghorn can also be spotted here. —Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 1 June 2026

The red-rock haven features tight orange canyons and spruce and fir forests, with wildlife like prairie dogs, pronghorns, and migrating hummingbirds. —Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026

The North American prairie is an ecological marvel, home to some of the nation’s most iconic creatures — bison, elk, wolves, pronghorn, prairie dogs and bald eagles. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pronghorn

• adorn
• airborne
• blackthorn
• broomcorn
• buckhorn
• buckthorn
• careworn
• firstborn
• foodborne
• forborne
• forewarn
• forlorn

Kids Definition

pronghorn

noun

prong·​horn ˈprȯŋ-ˌhȯ(ə)rn 

ˈpräŋ-

plural pronghorn or pronghorns

: a cud-chewing horned mammal of treeless parts of western North America resembling an antelope

called also pronghorn antelope