eland

noun

ˈē-lənd 

-ˌland

plural eland also elands

: either of two large African antelopes (Taurotragus oryx synonym Tragelaphus oryx and Taurotragus derbianus synonym Tragelaphus derbianus) bovine in form with short spirally twisted horns in both sexes

Illustration of eland

Examples of eland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To compare, elands are about the same size as bison. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026

Children stand astride the fence like giant elands. — Mac Barnett, Longreads, 5 May 2026

Giant East Cape kudu, nyala, waterbuck, and eland are just the start. — Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 11 July 2024

Clients come to Warthog to hunt (and photograph) all manner of game, from the giant eland to the tiny duiker. — Mark Jenkins, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans, elk, from Dutch, from obsolete German Elend, probably from obsolete Lithuanian ellenis; akin to Old High German elaho elk — more at elk

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

eland

noun

ˈē-lənd 

-ˌland

: either of two large African antelopes resembling oxen and having short spirally twisted horns in both sexes