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

Prepare for cold weather, and keep watch for wildlife like bison and elk. —Stephanie Vermillion, Outside, 18 Feb. 2026

For instance, the idea for the dire wolf came from discussions with the MHA Nation (the affiliated tribes of Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara) in North Dakota, which Colossal had come to meet with about bison. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026

Turner’s holdings also support the largest private bison herd in the world, part of a broader effort to reintroduce native species. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026

The nostalgia holds strong with a sprawling salad bar today, Santee bison steaks and a decadent chocolate soufflé for two. —Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 5 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for bison

• seisin
• actinomycin
• adriamycin
• aureomycin
• azithromycin
• clarithromycin
• erythromycin
• bleomycin
• clindamycin
• kanamycin
• lincomycin
• mitomycin

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