takin

noun

ta·​kin ˈtä-ˌkēn How to pronounce takin (audio)
: a large heavily built bovid (Budorcas taxicolor) of Tibet and adjacent areas of Asia that is related to the goats and the musk ox and that has horns in both sexes arising near the midline of the head and sweeping abruptly outward and then backward and upward

Illustration of takin

Illustration of takin

Examples of takin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The hill in Panda Ridge formerly was part of a habitat for takins, mammals native to China that are related to sheep and wild goats that also enjoy climbing. Karen Kucher, The Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2024 She’s the first golden takin born in the Western Hemisphere. San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2021 In 1989, the first Sichuan takin born outside China was born at the zoo. San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2021 As the takin did a full loop around the zoo, a recapture team with tranquilizers, and rifles for back-up, chased the animal until he was sedated, Nahabedian said. BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2018 Last Tuesday, the 8-by-12-foot glass fronts came down from dioramas of lowland gorillas and takin (a gnu goat from mountainous western China), and the sweet smell of old preservative filled the air. Stephan Salisbury, Philly.com, 19 Feb. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'takin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Mishmi (Tibeto-Burman language of northeast India)

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of takin was in 1850

Dictionary Entries Near takin

Cite this Entry

“Takin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/takin. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

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