bison

noun

bi·​son ˈbī-sᵊn  -zᵊn 

plural bison

: any of several large living or extinct bovine mammals (genus Bison) that have a long, broad head, short, hollow horns, heavy forequarters, a large muscular hump across the shoulders, and a shaggy mane on the head and lower neck and that typically live and migrate in herds: such as

a

: american bison

b

: european bison

bisontine

ˈbī-sᵊn-ˌtīn 

-zᵊn-

adjective

Examples of bison in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On one scouting trip, Roberts and his team inadvertently set up camp in a bison grazing path. —Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2024

Bison collisions are more of a problem in northwestern Canada, especially Alberta and the Northwest Territories, where wood bison roam freely. —Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 2 Apr. 2024

For a low entry ($5 per chance in Montana), participants can buy unlimited opportunities at statewide hunting licenses for mule deer, elk, moose, mountain boat, bison, and bighorn sheep. —Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2024

Choose from beef, bison, chicken, and turkey, or a vegetarian burger. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 27 Jan. 2024

The Medina River Company rents tubes and kayaks and offers shuttle rides to and from the river. 23 of 25 Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway Up in the Panhandle, see bison roaming in their natural habitat at Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway. —Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2024

Choose from beef, bison, chicken and turkey, or a vegetarian burger. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 12 Jan. 2024

Look for bison meat at a specialty butcher shop, or online from a company like The Honest Bison, which offers a wide variety of cuts. —Saveur Editors, Saveur, 21 Dec. 2023

In the middle of it all, a herd of some 200 bison graze. —Samantha Falewée, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin bisont-, bison, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wisant aurochs; akin to Old Prussian wissambrs aurochs

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bison

• American bison
• European bison
• plains bison
• wood bison

Kids Definition

bison

noun

bi·​son ˈbīs-ᵊn  ˈbīz- 

plural bison

: any of several large shaggy-maned mammals related to the ox with a large head, short horns, and a large fleshy hump above the shoulders

especially : buffalo sense c