elk

noun

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\ ˈelk

plural elk also elks

Definition of elk

1 plural usually elk

a : moose sense 1 —used for one of the Old World

b : a large gregarious deer (Cervus elaphus) of North America, Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa with the male having large antlers and many tines and that often form large herds

Note: The North American elk is sometimes considered to constitute a separate species (C. canadensis).

— called also red deer, wapiti

c : any of various large Asian deer

2 : soft tanned rugged leather

3 usually Elk plural Elks [Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks] : a member of a major benevolent and fraternal order

Example Sentences Phrases Containing elk Learn More About elk

Examples of elk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The city had previously announced plans to return the elk, which was damaged during protests in summer 2020, to its longtime home in the middle of Southwest Main Street. — oregonlive, 6 May 2022 When culling was stopped in 1968 the year-round population swelled from 5,000 to nearly 20,000 elk. — Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Apr. 2022 My favorite parts of every Studio Ghibli movie are always the mystical side characters—Jiji the cat, Yakul the elk, or My Neighbor Totoro’s iconic cat bus, to name a few—and the mouthwatering food scenes. — Esra Erol, Bon Appétit, 24 Mar. 2022 People can use their Android and Apple devices to get permission to salvage deer, elk, antelope, moose, wild bison or wild turkey after unintentional vehicle collisions with wildlife, state officials announced in February. — Kate Gibson, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2022 Adult male elk, or bulls, grow their antlers between April and August. — The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2022 Hunting guidelines are used by Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists to create recommendations for species such as elk, deer, javelina, turkey and many more throughout the state. — Lindsey Botts, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2022 Three moose and one elk were hit, although no drivers reported injuries in the crashes. — Jordan Miller, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 Jan. 2022 The property includes 25 homes, a 28-mile-long creek filled with trout, and around 4,000 elk, 800 antelope and 1,500 mule deer. — Katherine Clarke, WSJ, 6 Jan. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.