Illustration of pronghorn
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).
Examples of pronghorn in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The prairie is known for its wide open space, which includes a national monument and wildlife refuges that house herds of elk and pronghorn.
—
Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
The plan was lauded by conservationists for striking a balance between habitat protections for pronghorn antelope, sage grouse, elk, and mule deer while still allowing significant fossil-fuel and renewable-energy developments.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
The surrounding badlands provide the perfect habitat for a wealth of cactus species, while mammals span from mule deer to the pronghorn, an antelope-like animal that’s distantly related to modern-day giraffes.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Arizona also boasts unique species like the roadrunner, the state mammal ringtail, and the pronghorn antelope.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
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Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
The plan was lauded by conservationists for striking a balance between habitat protections for pronghorn antelope, sage grouse, elk, and mule deer while still allowing significant fossil-fuel and renewable-energy developments.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
The surrounding badlands provide the perfect habitat for a wealth of cactus species, while mammals span from mule deer to the pronghorn, an antelope-like animal that’s distantly related to modern-day giraffes.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Arizona also boasts unique species like the roadrunner, the state mammal ringtail, and the pronghorn antelope.
—Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pronghorn
Cite this Entry
“Pronghorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pronghorn. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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