impala

noun

im·​pa·​la im-ˈpa-lə  -ˈpä- 

plural impalas or impala

: a large brownish antelope (Aepyceros melampus) of southeastern Africa that in the male has slender curved horns with ridges

Illustration of impala

Did you know?

A swift-running, graceful antelope, the impala is found in large herds, usually near water, on the savannas and open woodlands of central and southern Africa. Impalas are noted for their jumping ability: when alarmed, they bound off in leaps up to 30 ft (9m) long and 10 ft (3m) high. Lightly built, the impala stands 30-40 in (75-100 cm) high at the shoulder. It has a golden to reddish brown coat, white underparts, a vertical black stripe on each thigh, and a black tuft behind each hind foot. The male has long, lyre-shaped horns.

Examples of impala in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

The landscape was packed with elephants, zebras, giraffes, impalas, hippos, exotic birds, and even rare African dogs. —Sophie Mendel, Travel + Leisure, 1 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

Venison, impala, and whole chickens—we’re talking feet and head still on—are also staples in Botha’s fridge. —Michal Lev-Ram, Fortune, 25 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Zulu

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

impala

noun

im·​pa·​la im-ˈpal-ə  -ˈpäl- 

: a large brownish African antelope that in the male has slender curving horns

Etymology

from the name in Zulu, an African language