Illustration of bighorn sheep
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.
Examples of bighorn sheep in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mule deer, moose and the bar’s namesake bighorn sheep, come from North America.
—
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Ingebritson said parcels south of the summit also are important wildlife habitat for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, Canada lynx, elk and moose.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2025
In addition to its dramatic landscapes with layered rock formations, steep canyons, and towering spires, Badlands National Park protects an expanse of mixed-grass prairie among its 244,000 acres, where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live and roam.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Keep your eyes open for bighorn sheep in the high passes.
—Alesandra Dubin, AFAR Media, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bighorn sheep
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Ingebritson said parcels south of the summit also are important wildlife habitat for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, Canada lynx, elk and moose.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2025
In addition to its dramatic landscapes with layered rock formations, steep canyons, and towering spires, Badlands National Park protects an expanse of mixed-grass prairie among its 244,000 acres, where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live and roam.
—Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Keep your eyes open for bighorn sheep in the high passes.
—Alesandra Dubin, AFAR Media, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bighorn sheep
Cite this Entry
“Bighorn sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bighorn%20sheep. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share