gazelle

noun

ga·​zelle gə-ˈzel How to pronounce gazelle (audio)
plural gazelles also gazelle
: any of numerous small to medium graceful and swift African and Asian antelopes (Gazella and related genera)

Illustration of gazelle

Illustration of gazelle

Examples of gazelle in a Sentence

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.
The two groups were roaming around similar landscapes and hunting the same types of animals—mostly fallow deer and mountain gazelles, but also cow-like aurochs and boar. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 July 2025 The voice cast features returning stars Ginnifer Goodwin as rabbit police officer Judy Hopps, Jason Bateman as sly fox turned rookie cop Nick Wilde, and Shakira as pop star Gazelle (who’s a gazelle, natch). Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025 Similarly, human encroachment and urban development are major threats to Arabian gazelle habitats as well. Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025 Shakira returns as Gazelle, a Thomson’s gazelle who is a legendary pop star. Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gazelle

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, from Arabic ghazāl

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gazelle was in 1600

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gazelle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gazelle. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

gazelle

noun
ga·​zelle gə-ˈzel How to pronounce gazelle (audio)
plural gazelles also gazelle
: any of numerous small graceful swift antelopes of Africa and Asia

More from Merriam-Webster on gazelle

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