kudu

noun ku·du \ ˈkü-(ˌ)dü \

variants: or less commonly koodoo

Updated on: 4 Apr 2018

Definition of kudu

plural kudu or kudus also koodoo or koodoos

: a large grayish brown African antelope (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) with large annulated spirally twisted horns; also : a related antelope (T. imberbis)

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Recent Examples of kudu from the Web

There is now a very proud kudu head hanging on my living room wall.

— bella english, BostonGlobe.com, "A vacation sequel as good as the original," 13 Feb. 2018
The researchers focused on large plant-eaters—elephants, hippos, kudu—as information on small animals in conflict zones is hard to come by.

— maya wei-haas, Smithsonian, "The Animal Cost of War," 11 Jan. 2018
Herds of kudu, impala, zebras and springbok cautiously tiptoed to quench their thirst, mindful of the predators in the bush.

— charlotteobserver, "Mourning a friend, Charlotte man found healing – amid surreal African beauty," 27 Oct. 2017
Onguma’s guides treated me to numerous sightings of various antelope — kudu, steenbok, and oryx, to name a few — and my favorite of them all: the tiny dik dik, standing little more than a foot high at the shoulder.

— eric vohr, Philly.com, "Wildlife in Namibia? Follow the water," 15 Sep. 2017
Two greater kudu, a type of African antelope, died during the storm, according to a news release from the zoo.

— shelby reynolds, USA TODAY, "Alligators? Check. Naples Zoo starts recovery from Hurricane Irma," 14 Sep. 2017
Onguma’s guides treated me to numerous sightings of various antelope — kudu, steenbok and oryx, to name a few — and my favorite of them all: the tiny dik dik, standing little more than a foot high at the shoulder.

— eric vohr, chicagotribune.com, "Sparsely populated Namibia delivers lots of surprises for safari-goers," 16 Aug. 2017

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