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

While most encounters don't result in injuries, Fetter notes that Yellowstone's most recent season saw multiple incidents, including bear maulings, bison gorings, and a wolf attack. —Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2026

Museums and historic sites will mark the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with exhibits, live music, immersive events and massive bison. —Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2026

The bear was observed scavenging on a bull bison carcass in the park’s back country. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Mar. 2026

In 2024, an 83-year-old woman was severely injured after being gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park, the National Park Service said. —Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 7 Mar. 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