pronghorn

noun prong·horn \ ˈprȯŋ-ˌhȯrn , ˈpräŋ- \

|Updated on: 25 Jul 2018

Definition of pronghorn

plural pronghorn or pronghorns

: a swift horned ruminant mammal (Antilocapra americana) chiefly of grasslands and deserts of western North America that resembles an antelope — called also pronghorn antelope

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Recent Examples of pronghorn from the Web

The open space surrounding the lake is prime habitat for pronghorn.

— mare czinar, azcentral, "Arizona hike: Wildlife abounds on the South Fork Trail," 19 June 2018
There were lone coyotes and leaping pronghorn that flew across the land as the plains became sandstone bluffs that dropped into deep gorges of the curvy Missouri River.

— andrew evans, chicagotribune.com, "Feel the pull of the prairie on a uniquely American safari in Montana," 5 July 2018
But Weyand studied pronghorn antelopes in the lab, specially formatting treadmills that could go fast enough.

— teal burrell, Discover Magazine, "Human Speed," 15 June 2018
Big Sky Country averages seven people, one pronghorn antelope, one elk, and three deer per square mile.

— porter fox, Outside Online, "Exploring America's Forgotten Border," 1 June 2018
Removing the juniper not only benefits sage grouse, but also mule deer, elk, pronghorn and golden eagles.

— cynthia sewell, idahostatesman, "Farewell, western juniper. Idaho, feds partner to yank the plant & let sagebrush return," 31 May 2018
Human activities disturb pronghorn Trump's border wall would still harm the Sonoran pronghorn, said Dan Millis of the Sierra Club.

— alex devoid, azcentral, "Back from the brink, the Sonoran pronghorn now roam an increasingly political landscape," 27 Mar. 2018
Meanwhile, since the national monument abuts the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, bighorn sheep and elk have returned to the area, and the populations of mule deer and pronghorn antelope have rebounded.

— USA TODAY, "Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan warn: Beautiful, unspoiled landscapes are disappearing," 25 May 2018
The only restriction on firearms for use in hunting deer, alligators, pronghorn and bighorn sheep is that rimfire ammunition is prohibited; any centerfire rifle or shotgun is legal and there is no minimum caliber or shot size mandated.

— shannon tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "TPW Commission reconsidering its approval of air-powered guns, bows," 6 May 2018

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

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First Known Use of pronghorn

1823

in the meaning defined above

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PRONGHORN Defined for English Language Learners

pronghorn

noun

Definition of pronghorn for English Language Learners

: a large animal of western North America that looks like an antelope

PRONGHORN Defined for Kids

pronghorn

noun prong·horn \ ˈprȯŋ-ˌhȯrn \

Definition of pronghorn for Students

: an animal that resembles an antelope and lives mostly in the grasslands and deserts of western North America

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See words that rhyme with pronghorn Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pronghorn

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