muntjac

noun

munt·​jac ˈmən(t)-ˌjak How to pronounce muntjac (audio)
ˈmən-ˌchak
: any of a genus (Muntiacus) of small deer of southeastern Asia with an alarm call similar to the bark of a dog and having in the male elongated, downward-pointing upper canine teeth which protrude from the lip and short, usually unbranched, pointed antlers : barking deer
Would-be predators risk flesh-ripping tusks, or long canine teeth, which extend an inch or two from muntjacs' mouths.Noel Vietmeyer
A muntjac or barking deer, was found in the Vu Quang Preserve in Nghe Tinh Province, Vietnam.Tom Hilchey

Illustration of muntjac

Illustration of muntjac

Examples of muntjac 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.
Explored via elevated walkways, the woodsy preserve shelters other endemic species like sambar deer, blue sheep, muntjac and golden pheasant. Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 The magpie can be seen plucking at the muntjac's coat. Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025 An unusual few seconds follow as the bird starts working on the muntjac's fur. Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025 The zoo asked its followers for help identifying the creature, which the organization suggested could be a muntjac deer. Kelli Bender, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024 Many agreed that the animal was likely a muntjac deer that ended up looking strange on camera. Kelli Bender, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024 In the comments, people who had never heard of a muntjac deer noted how unique and otherworldly Biscuit's appearance is. Ariana Garcia, Chron, 13 Apr. 2023 More data on the sequences collected around the market would help pinpoint which animal or animals (or humans, for that matter) sparked the outbreak; for now, raccoon dogs, red foxes, badgers, porcupines, muntjac deer, and marmots seem the most likely mammals. Melody Schreiber, The New Republic, 9 Mar. 2022 Wildlife captively bred in Enshi before the pandemic included potential intermediate hosts such as palm civets, raccoon dogs, porcupines, wild boars, hedgehogs, rodents, ferret badgers, ocelots, muntjac deer and flying squirrels, official business registries show. Michael Standaert and Eva Dou, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Oct. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Sundanese (Austronesian language of western Java) mənyčək

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of muntjac was in 1771

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Cite this Entry

“Muntjac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muntjac. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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