Barbary sheep

noun

: a wild, chiefly brown bovine (Ammotragus lervia) that is closely related to goats and sheep, is native to dry, rocky, mountainous terrain of North Africa but has been introduced into the southwestern U.S., northern Mexico, and Spain, and has a fringe of long hairs extending from the neck to the inner forelegs and horns that curve outward, back, and down : aoudad

Examples of Barbary sheep in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web People from that region were thought to have dined primarily upon Barbary sheep and snails. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2024 The cacti-spiked, piñon-scented, landscape of red rocks is home to veiny creeks and is dutifully patrolled by black bears, mountain lions, and non-native Barbary sheep. Leilani Maire Labong, Travel + Leisure, 22 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Barbary sheep.' 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

barbary coast, Africa

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Barbary sheep was in 1749

Dictionary Entries Near Barbary sheep

Cite this Entry

“Barbary sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Barbary%20sheep. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

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