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

Harmon alerted stakeholders, including Aiello, who was immediately concerned about how the wire might affect a herd of bighorn sheep that migrates across the border. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

Spanning 71,000 acres, Custer State Park has plenty of room to share with its free-ranging bison herd and wildlife like elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats. —Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 30 May 2026

As the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and the world's second largest dark sky preserve, Jasper National Park boasts an extensive trail network and the chance to spot wildlife like black and grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and more. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2026

On Mother's Day, the zoo shared a post highlighting its baby orangutan, bighorn sheep, wallaby and more. —Christa Swanson, CBS News, 11 May 2026

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