musk ox

noun

: a heavyset, shaggy-coated, bovid mammal (Ovibos moschatus) of tundra regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska with the males producing a strong musky odor from glands beneath the eyes

Illustration of musk ox

Illustration of musk ox

Examples of musk ox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Those pieces include a cougar, a bison, a few deer, and a musk ox. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 1 Feb. 2024 So far, the park is home to reindeer, yakutian horses, moose, bison, musk ox, kalmykian cows, sheep, camels and goats. Gabe Allen, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2023 There, visitors will be able to spot wildlife from polar bears to musk ox and caribou, as well as experience some of the highest tidal elevations in the world. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2023 News Alaska Wildlife Troopers on Monday killed a musk ox that was posing a threat to the public in Kotzebue, troopers’ spokesperson John Dougherty said. Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Aug. 2023 Musk oxen rarely attack humans, but in December 2022, an employee of Alaska’s Department of Public Safety was killed in Nome in an encounter with a musk ox. Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Aug. 2023 On Monday, morning, troopers received multiple calls about the musk ox in Kotzebue. Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Aug. 2023 Grizzly bears and wolves thrive in the area, while moose, caribou, musk ox, and other species frequently succumb to predation. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 12 July 2023 Subjects range from Gold Rush history to wildlife (musk ox), to details of the last Iditarod race. Scott McMurren, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'musk ox.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1744, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of musk ox was in 1744

Dictionary Entries Near musk ox

Cite this Entry

“Musk ox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/musk%20ox. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

musk ox

noun
: a large shaggy-coated wild ox native to Greenland, Canada and Alaska with the males producing a strong odor similar to musk from glands below the eyes
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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