bison

noun

bi·​son ˈbī-sᵊn  -zᵊn 

plural bison

: any of several large living or extinct bovine mammals (genus Bison) that have a long, broad head, short, hollow horns, heavy forequarters, a large muscular hump across the shoulders, and a shaggy mane on the head and lower neck and that typically live and migrate in herds: such as

a

: american bison

b

: european bison

bisontine

ˈbī-sᵊn-ˌtīn 

-zᵊn-

adjective

Examples of bison in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Reata’s staples include ribeye steaks, both for beef fans and for those seeking something leaner in the form of bison meat. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2024

The wild bison population in Yellowstone has slowly been rebuilt, the park service said. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 1 July 2024

An American buffalo, or bison, was running along the road with her amniotic sac protruding from her belly. —Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 26 June 2024

The park noted more people have been injured by bison at Yellowstone than by any other animal. —Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 3 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin bisont-, bison, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wisant aurochs; akin to Old Prussian wissambrs aurochs

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bison

• American bison
• European bison
• plains bison
• wood bison

Kids Definition

bison

noun

bi·​son ˈbīs-ᵊn  ˈbīz- 

plural bison

: any of several large shaggy-maned mammals related to the ox with a large head, short horns, and a large fleshy hump above the shoulders

especially : buffalo sense c