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
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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
The hide, which belonged to an antelope-like animal called a pronghorn, still had intact hair of its original color, preserved over thousands of years.
—Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
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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
The hide, which belonged to an antelope-like animal called a pronghorn, still had intact hair of its original color, preserved over thousands of years.
—Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 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 9 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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