wildebeest

noun wil·de·beest \ ˈwil-də-ˌbēst \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of wildebeest

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

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Recent Examples of wildebeest from the Web

From wildebeests thundering across the Serengeti plains to monarch butterflies fluttering through North American skies, animal migrations are everywhere, marking the seasons, redistributing vital nutrients, reawakening the senses.

— chicagotribune.com, "Americans take more opioids than any other country — but not because they're in more pain," 26 Mar. 2018
Oakland’s Briley Farm, whose Lake Apopka-front property boasts a menagerie of zebras, wildebeests and watusi cattle, features a photo of peacocks on its website.

— stephen hudak, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Oakland hires trapper to nab 'gorgeous' but 'nasty' peacocks after complaints," 3 Apr. 2018
From wildebeests thundering across the Serengeti plains to monarch butterflies fluttering through North American skies, animal migrations are everywhere, marking the seasons, redistributing vital nutrients, reawakening the senses.

— chicagotribune.com, "Americans take more opioids than any other country — but not because they're in more pain," 26 Mar. 2018
From wildebeests thundering across the Serengeti plains to monarch butterflies fluttering through North American skies, animal migrations are everywhere, marking the seasons, redistributing vital nutrients, reawakening the senses.

— elizabeth kiefer, chicagotribune.com, "Male birth control pill includes a side effect that has frustrated women for decades," 23 Mar. 2018
The elephant population declined to 200 from 2,000, while wildebeest and zebras numbered fewer than 50 each, down from several thousand.

— rachel nuwer, New York Times, "War’s Other Victims: Animals," 12 Jan. 2018
Your guide drives you alongside zebras and wildebeests and herd after herd of impalas, the hot-supermodel versions of deer.

— caity weaver, GQ, "This South African Hotel Will Make You Forget You Don’t Live an Easy, Luxurious Life," 8 Feb. 2018
Their final list encompassed 253 populations of 36 species of herbivorous mammals — including elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos and wildebeests — in 126 protected areas throughout Africa.

— rachel nuwer, New York Times, "War’s Other Victims: Animals," 12 Jan. 2018
The area is abundant year-round with zebras, wildcats, giraffes and elephants, including herds of wildebeests that migrate past the camp from November to March.

— nora walsh, New York Times, "With Mobile Camping, Remote Destinations and Light Footprints," 5 Dec. 2017

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