bison

noun

bi·​son ˈbī-sᵊn  -zᵊn 

plural bison

: any of several large living or extinct bovine mammals (genus Bison) that have a long, broad head, short, hollow horns, heavy forequarters, a large muscular hump across the shoulders, and a shaggy mane on the head and lower neck and that typically live and migrate in herds: such as

a

: american bison

b

: european bison

bisontine

ˈbī-sᵊn-ˌtīn 

-zᵊn-

adjective

Examples of bison in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The giant bison was an herbivore and grazed on the grasslands and open savannas of North America, feeding on a variety of plants. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Breeding programs have helped bison make a comeback across Europe, and their soil-bathing habits are even improving ecosystem diversity. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025

Every so often, wild bison from one of Utah’s herds cross the invisible state border and wander into northwest Colorado — unknowingly putting their lives in danger. —The Denver Post, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2025

Through the transfer of responsibility from the government, Tribes are playing a critical role in the reintroduction of bison in Montana, the revitalization of California's salmon fisheries, the cleanup of the Columbia River, and more. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin bisont-, bison, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wisant aurochs; akin to Old Prussian wissambrs aurochs

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bison

• American bison
• European bison
• plains bison
• wood bison

Rhymes for bison

• seisin
• actinomycin
• adriamycin
• aureomycin
• azithromycin
• clarithromycin
• erythromycin
• bleomycin
• clindamycin
• kanamycin
• lincomycin
• mitomycin

Kids Definition

bison

noun

bi·​son ˈbīs-ᵊn  ˈbīz- 

plural bison

: any of several large shaggy-maned mammals related to the ox with a large head, short horns, and a large fleshy hump above the shoulders

especially : buffalo sense c