nilgai

noun

nil·​gai ˈnil-ˌgī How to pronounce nilgai (audio)
: a large bluish-gray antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) of India and eastern Pakistan with the male having short horns, a black mane, and tuft of long hair on the throat

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The areas of grassland habitat are ready to provide food for the animals that lions prey upon like nilgai (blue bull), chital (spotted deer), sambhar, chinkara. Anup Dutta, Quartz India, 27 Nov. 2019

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

Word History

Etymology

Hindi & Urdu nīlgāy

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nilgai was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near nilgai

Cite this Entry

“Nilgai.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nilgai. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

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