wildebeest

noun

wil·​de·​beest ˈwil-də-ˌbēst 

plural wildebeests also wildebeest

: either of two large African antelopes (Connochaetes gnou and C. taurinus) with a head like that of an ox, short mane, long tail, and horns in both sexes that curve downward and outward

called also gnu

Illustration of wildebeest

Examples of wildebeest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the scene, dozens of wildebeests are seen rushing after Simba, the movie’s protagonist. —Ryan Browne, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2024

Later in the day, our group crossed the border into Botswana and arrived in Chobe, where our afternoon game drive resulted in sightings of herds of elephants (calves in tow), zebras, giraffes, warthogs, wildebeests, impala, baboons, and more. —Sophie Mendel, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2024

However, the terrifying wildebeest stampede that led to Mufasa’s death was the most challenging sequence to pull off, taking more than a year to complete. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 13 July 2024

Watch on Disney+ The Lion King Remember the terrifying wildebeest stampede in the 1994 version of The Lion King? —Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 4 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans wildebees, from wilde wild + bees ox

First Known Use

circa 1824, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

wildebeest

noun

wil·​de·​beest ˈwil-də-ˌbēst 

plural wildebeest also wildebeest

: either of two large African antelopes with a head like that of an ox, a short mane, a long tail, and horns that curve downward and outward

called also gnu