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
There are about 13,000 desert bighorn sheep in the U.S.
—
Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 12 Feb. 2024
There’s also the chance to see the endangered peninsular bighorn sheep.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2024
This popular SoCal hiking spot is bursting with wildflowers — and bighorn sheep.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024
That also included buying and selling parts of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in violation of state laws, according to prosecutors.
—Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024
Here, Camping World noted, visitors can spot everything from mountain goats to elk, bighorn sheep, and even mountain lions.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2024
In a single night in January, a record $6.5 million was raised on auction tags, with statewide bighorn sheep licenses in both Colorado and New Mexico fetching $600,000 apiece.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2024
In addition to the cultural resources, the region serves as critical habitat for desert tortoise and a migration path for wildlife including bighorn sheep and mule deer, according to the BLM.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 26 Feb. 2024
The discovery of a dead desert bighorn sheep near an Arizona field has set off a search for the poacher, wildlife officials said.
—Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 12 Feb. 2024
Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 12 Feb. 2024
There’s also the chance to see the endangered peninsular bighorn sheep.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2024
This popular SoCal hiking spot is bursting with wildflowers — and bighorn sheep.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024
That also included buying and selling parts of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in violation of state laws, according to prosecutors.
—Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024
Here, Camping World noted, visitors can spot everything from mountain goats to elk, bighorn sheep, and even mountain lions.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2024
In a single night in January, a record $6.5 million was raised on auction tags, with statewide bighorn sheep licenses in both Colorado and New Mexico fetching $600,000 apiece.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2024
In addition to the cultural resources, the region serves as critical habitat for desert tortoise and a migration path for wildlife including bighorn sheep and mule deer, according to the BLM.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 26 Feb. 2024
The discovery of a dead desert bighorn sheep near an Arizona field has set off a search for the poacher, wildlife officials said.
—Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 12 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bighorn sheep.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1817, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Bighorn sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bighorn%20sheep. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on bighorn sheep
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bighorn sheep
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