wildebeest

noun

wil·​de·​beest ˈwil-də-ˌbēst 

plural wildebeests also wildebeest

: either of two large African antelopes (Connochaetes gnou and C. taurinus) with a head like that of an ox, short mane, long tail, and horns in both sexes that curve downward and outward

called also gnu

Illustration of wildebeest

Examples of wildebeest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And like the wildebeest, bison dung packs a nutritional punch when deposited across the landscape. —Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025

From January to March, the Southern Serengeti is home to numerous species’ calving season, one of the most notable being the Great Migration of wildebeest. —Maija De Rijk-Uys published, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2025

The moment the wildebeest started shifting, the vehicles did too, racing to beat each other to the crossing. —Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 4 Aug. 2025

Each year in July and August, thousands of tourists flock to Tanzania to witness one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles: the high-stakes wildebeest crossing of the Mara River. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans wildebees, from wilde wild + bees ox

First Known Use

circa 1824, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

wildebeest

noun

wil·​de·​beest ˈwil-də-ˌbēst 

plural wildebeest also wildebeest

: either of two large African antelopes with a head like that of an ox, a short mane, a long tail, and horns that curve downward and outward

called also gnu