megafauna

noun

mega·​fau·​na ˈme-gə-ˌfȯ-nə 

-ˌfä-

1

: animals (such as bears, bison, or mammoths) of particularly large size

2

: fauna consisting of individuals large enough to be visible to the naked eye

megafaunal

ˈme-gə-ˌfȯ-nᵊl 

-ˌfä-

adjective

Examples of megafauna in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sequencing the genomes of such extinct megafauna can help identify the culprit behind their extinction, providing tools to counter the pervasive threats species face today. —Jeanne Timmons, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2026

In Greenland, temperatures shot up by as much as 18 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of decades, pushing other Arctic megafauna to extinction. —Maggie Koerth, CNN Money, 25 Dec. 2025

The park’s expansive wilderness is home to treasured megafauna, from bears and wolves to herds of bison and elk, all of which visitors regularly spot. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2025

This multi-molecule strategy is expected to expand understanding of extinct megafauna by providing a full, integrated picture of their biology. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for megafauna

• avifauna
• hinayana
• macrofauna
• mahayana
• majorana
• marianna
• marihuana
• marijuana
• microfauna
• ana
• bwana
• dhyana