elk

noun

\ ˈelk

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

Examples of elk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Reason to visit: bison marrow bones, bison tongue crostini, bison ribs and game selections, including elk and quail. — Larry Olmsted, USA TODAY, "Pair game meat and period cocktails in Colorado," 13 June 2018 My father expects to get an elk every year and always does, with his rifle. — Smith Henderson, Popular Mechanics, "You Could Live Here Alone Forever," 11 Jan. 2017 This strategy works for birds, squirrels, deer, marmots, chipmunks, elk, moose, and bears, but sadly, not wolves. — Madeleine Trebenski, Outside Online, "Rules of the Trail for Terrible People," 1 July 2018 Black bears dominate, numbering 36, and are joined in the drive-through area by goats, Dall sheep, elk, wolves (tundra and arctic), bison (white and American) and bears (junior and adult). — Scott Craven, azcentral, "Bearizona: Top things to do at drive-thru wildlife park in Williams," 12 July 2018 Meanwhile, since the national monument abuts the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, bighorn sheep and elk have returned to the area, and the populations of mule deer and pronghorn antelope have rebounded. — USA TODAY, "Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan warn: Beautiful, unspoiled landscapes are disappearing," 25 May 2018 For the second time in three days, an elk has attacked someone in Yellowstone National Park. — CBS News, "Elk attacks another woman at Yellowstone National Park, authorities say," 5 June 2018 From the beginning, Idaho's great wolf habitat - lots of undeveloped spaces and lots of food such as elk and moose - mean that the wolf population grew faster here than anywhere else. — Rocky Barker, idahostatesman, "20 years ago, 4 wolves were released into Idaho. What if it had never happened? | Idaho Statesman," 14 Jan. 2015 Hunters and people who eat deer, elk, and moose meat are theoretically the most at risk. — Korin Miller, SELF, "What You Need to Know About So-Called 'Zombie' Deer Disease," 20 Feb. 2019

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.