hoofbeat
noun
hoof·beat
ˈhu̇f-ˌbēt 
ˈhüf-
: the sound of a hoof striking a hard surface (such as the ground)
Examples of hoofbeat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the true pulse of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the hoofbeat of elk, the park’s most abundant large mammal.
—
National Geographic, 12 Jan. 2023
The next morning, Santa will deliver gifts from a real sleigh drawn by brother draft horses Pete and Repeat, their hoofbeats muffled by glittering, fresh white snow.
—Candice Yacono, Orange County Register, 29 July 2019
Most of us rarely do this, unless moved by a desire to mimic the hoofbeats of a horse, but Charlie Graham (Milly Shapiro), a non-smiling girl of thirteen, klokks with unnerving frequency.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 7 June 2018
These are the most familiar hoofbeats, those made by horses.
—Jeff Halverson, Washington Post, 29 June 2017
The hurried hoofbeats of gods, riding atop the backs of beasts.
—Demi Adejuyigbe, The New Yorker, 30 May 2017
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.
National Geographic, 12 Jan. 2023
The next morning, Santa will deliver gifts from a real sleigh drawn by brother draft horses Pete and Repeat, their hoofbeats muffled by glittering, fresh white snow.
—Candice Yacono, Orange County Register, 29 July 2019
Most of us rarely do this, unless moved by a desire to mimic the hoofbeats of a horse, but Charlie Graham (Milly Shapiro), a non-smiling girl of thirteen, klokks with unnerving frequency.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 7 June 2018
These are the most familiar hoofbeats, those made by horses.
—Jeff Halverson, Washington Post, 29 June 2017
The hurried hoofbeats of gods, riding atop the backs of beasts.
—Demi Adejuyigbe, The New Yorker, 30 May 2017
Cite this Entry
“Hoofbeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoofbeat. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hoofbeat
noun
hoof·beat
ˈhu̇f-ˌbēt
ˈhüf-
: the sound of a hoof striking a hard surface (as the ground)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share