hoofbeat

noun

hoof·beat ˈhu̇f-ˌbēt

ˈhüf-

: the sound of a hoof striking a hard surface (such as the ground)

Example Sentences

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

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