elk

noun

ˈelk 

plural elk also elks

1

plural usually elk

a

: moose sense 1

—used for one of the Old World

b

: a large gregarious deer (Cervus elaphus) of North America, Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa with the male having large antlers and many tines and that often form large herds

Note: The North American elk is sometimes considered to constitute a separate species (C. canadensis).

called also red deer, wapiti

c

: any of various large Asian deer

2

: soft tanned rugged leather

3

usually Elk plural Elks [Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks] : a member of a major benevolent and fraternal order

Examples of elk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Two elk calves were hidden near a playground in Stanley Park unbeknownst to several families using the facility when an adult elk charged the 4-year-old suddenly, stomping on him multiple times before a family member was able to scare the animal away, CPW said in a statement. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 6 June 2024

The elk became aggressive so the officer drove it off with a bean-bag projectile, officials said. —Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 2 June 2024

The girl was riding her bike around 1 p.m. Thursday when a female elk approximately 60 yards away charged at her and stomped her multiple times, state officials said in a news release Friday. —Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 1 June 2024

An elk entree at Owamni, Sean Sherman's Minneapolis restaurant, which embodies the chef's ambitious plans to revitalize Indigenous foodways across the US. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from Old English eolh; akin to Old High German elaho elk, Greek elaphos deer

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing elk

• tule elk

Kids Definition

elk

noun

ˈelk 

plural elk or elks

1

: moose

—used for one of Europe or Asia

2

: a large deer of North America, Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa that has large curved antlers with many branches and that lives in herds

called also red deer, wapiti