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

If the narwhal tusk, a tightly spiraling tooth than can grow up to nine feet in length, was not in fact from a unicorn, then perhaps the horn of the southern African wildebeest or gnu was what the ancients meant by a unicorn—never mind that these are actually two-horned. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 5 Apr. 2025

Some previous studies have indeed shown that cattle can compete for grass with wild herbivores such as wildebeests, impalas, Thomson’s gazelles, zebras, buffalo, and giraffes. —Bygeoffrey Kamadi, science.org, 10 Sep. 2024

Lilliputian lions, whose wildebeests are passing butterflies. —Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025

While animals are certainly the main attraction during a visit—the Makgadikgadi Pans feature one of the earth’s largest zebra and wildebeest migrations during green season—there’s far more to do during a stay than just embark on game drives. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 19 Dec. 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