bighorn sheep

noun

big·​horn sheep ˈbig-ˌhȯrn- 

variants or less commonly bighorn

plural bighorn sheep also bighorns or bighorn

: a usually grayish-brown wild sheep (Ovis canadensis) of mountainous and desert regions of western North America

Note: The bighorn sheep has a white patch on the rump and, in the males, massive horns that curve up and back over the ears and then up and forward toward the cheeks.

Illustration of bighorn sheep

Examples of bighorn sheep in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Studies in the Owyhees have indicated that the leading cause of death for mule deer and California bighorn sheep is mountain lion predation. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025

Black bears and coyotes are common, while animals like mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and even gray wolves may make the occasional appearance. —AFAR Media, 28 Oct. 2025

Next, Kat nestles a plastic headpiece shaped like a bighorn sheep rack onto me. —Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

Burros need to consume much more plant material than their native grazing counterparts, like bighorn sheep or mule deer, due to their less efficient digestive systems. —John Leos, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bighorn sheep

• asleep
• upkeep
• beep
• cheap
• creep
• deep
• heap
• jeep
• keep
• leap
• peep
• reap

Kids Definition

bighorn sheep

noun

big·​horn sheep ˈbig-ˌhȯrn- 

: a usually grayish brown wild sheep of mountainous western North America

called also bighorn, Rocky Mountain sheep