plural donkeys
1
: the domestic ass (Equus asinus)
2
: a stupid or obstinate person

Examples of donkey in a Sentence

we put our bags on the donkey and headed down the canyon called him a donkey when he refused to go along with their plans
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
General admission includes access to the sunflower field, pumpkin patch and corn maze, kids’ bounce zones and play areas, a petting zoo featuring alpacas, ponies, donkeys, goats and bunnies, craft stations, photo ops, river walk, live music, vendor marketplace and a free pumpkin. Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Oct. 2025 Just throw in some ogre and donkey ears, and you’re set. James Factora, Them., 17 Oct. 2025 My father mistakes it for the verb to bray, like a donkey. Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025 No actor has ever played a cop, a doctor, and a donkey — and dominated every facet of Hollywood he’s touched. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for donkey

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

circa 1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of donkey was circa 1785

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Donkey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/donkey. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

donkey

noun
plural donkeys
1
: a sturdy domestic mammal that is classified with the asses and is used especially to carry things
2
: a stupid or stubborn person

More from Merriam-Webster on donkey

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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