bighorn sheep

noun

big·​horn sheep ˈbig-ˌhȯrn- How to pronounce bighorn sheep (audio)
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

Illustration of bighorn sheep

Examples of bighorn sheep in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Keep your eyes open for bighorn sheep in the high passes. Alesandra Dubin, AFAR Media, 25 Aug. 2025 Drive through the gate and into 160 acres of pine forest populated by bears, wolves, bison, bighorn sheep, and more, all roaming freely. Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025 In addition to the ancient bristlecone pines, there is unique wildlife here, including bighorn sheep, endangered trout, marmots, and a tiny rodent known as a pika. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025 Just south of Glacier National Park, a herd of five resident horses shares the aptly named Wild Horse Island State Park with countless bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and mule deer. Anna Staropoli, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bighorn sheep

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bighorn sheep was in 1817

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Cite this Entry

“Bighorn sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bighorn%20sheep. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

bighorn sheep

noun
big·​horn sheep ˈbig-ˌhȯrn- How to pronounce bighorn sheep (audio)
: a usually grayish brown wild sheep of mountainous western North America

called also bighorn, Rocky Mountain sheep

More from Merriam-Webster on bighorn sheep

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