ungulate

1 of 2

adjective

un·​gu·​late ˈəŋ-gyə-lət 

ˈən-,

-ˌlāt

1

: having hooves

ungulate mammals

2

: of, relating to, or affecting ungulates

ungulate diseases

ungulate

2 of 2

noun

: a hoofed typically herbivorous quadruped mammal (such as a pig, cow, deer, horse, elephant, or rhinoceros) of a group formerly considered a major mammalian taxon (Ungulata) see artiodactyl, perissodactyl

Examples of ungulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Along the margin of the lake, which holds a dense forest populated by goats and littered with bleached ungulate bones, is one of Okavango’s dominant border faults. —Bypaul Voosen, science.org, 7 Nov. 2024

Plus, don’t miss an ungulate crash landing that saved one buyer a couple bucks. —CNN, 8 Nov. 2023

Noun

As the name implies, this sprawling preserve is perfect for spotting herds of bighorn sheep congregating along the reserve’s many mountains, but these are far from the only ungulates that can be found roaming the region. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Dan Ashe, former U.S. Fish and Wildlife director, said wolves and other predators cleanse CWD from the environment by removing infected ungulates. —Ted Williams, Denver Post, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Late Latin ungulatus, from Latin ungula hoof, from unguis nail, hoof

Noun

New Latin Ungulata, from Late Latin, neuter plural of ungulatus

First Known Use

Adjective

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ungulate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

ungulate

1 of 2 adjective

un·​gu·​late ˈəŋ-gyə-lət 

ˈən-,

-ˌlāt

1

: having hooves

2

: of or relating to the ungulates

ungulate

2 of 2 noun

: any of a group of typically plant-eating 4-footed hoofed mammals (as cows, sheep, pigs, horses, camels, and rhinoceroses)

Medical Definition

ungulate

1 of 2 adjective

un·​gu·​late ˈəŋ-gyə-lət  ˈən- 

-ˌlāt

1

: having hooves

2

: of or relating to the ungulates

ungulate

2 of 2 noun

: a hoofed typically herbivorous quadruped mammal (as a pig, camel, hippopotamus, horse, tapir, rhinoceros, or elephant) of a polyphyletic group formerly considered a major mammalian taxon (Ungulata)