pronghorn

noun

prong·​horn ˈprȯŋ-ˌhȯrn 

ˈpräŋ-

variants or less commonly pronghorn antelope

plural pronghorn or pronghorns also pronghorn antelope or pronghorn antelopes

: a swift horned ruminant mammal (Antilocapra americana) chiefly of grasslands and deserts of western North America that has a slender lean build and horns that in males grow to 10-16 inches (25-41 cm) long and have an additional forward-facing prong and in females grow to 1-2 inches (2-5 cm) long and lack a prong

Note: Although the pronghorn is sometimes informally called the pronghorn antelope or less commonly the American antelope, it belongs to a different family than true antelope and is the only living species of its family (Antilocapridae).

Illustration of pronghorn

Examples of pronghorn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The North American prairie is an ecological marvel, home to some of the nation’s most iconic creatures — bison, elk, wolves, pronghorn, prairie dogs and bald eagles. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026

Bighorn sheep, elk, moose, bears, mule deer, pronghorn, and bison thrive in the park. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026

Dry fields are also vulnerable to noxious weeds like leafy spurge and toadflax, which are toxic to cattle and unpalatable to native ungulates like deer and pronghorn antelope. —Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026

Wildebeest, elk, lions, pronghorns, snapping turtles, baboons, wolves, and warthogs wait, oozing, for their turn in the lineup. —Jeff Wilson, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pronghorn

• adorn
• airborne
• blackthorn
• broomcorn
• buckhorn
• buckthorn
• careworn
• firstborn
• foodborne
• forborne
• forewarn
• forlorn

Kids Definition

pronghorn

noun

prong·​horn ˈprȯŋ-ˌhȯ(ə)rn 

ˈpräŋ-

plural pronghorn or pronghorns

: a cud-chewing horned mammal of treeless parts of western North America resembling an antelope

called also pronghorn antelope