wildebeest

noun

wil·​de·​beest ˈwil-də-ˌbēst How to pronounce wildebeest (audio)
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

Illustration of wildebeest

Examples of wildebeest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 Flamingos flock here by the thousands to feed on the brine shrimp that have been trapped in the dry salt like pre-watered Sea-Monkeys, and zebras and wildebeest pass through as part of Africa’s second-largest mammal migration. Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 18 Dec. 2024 During a trip to this Southern African nation, visitors can marvel at fauna like the blue wildebeest, aardwolf and Angolan giraffe—and to sweeten the deal, Namibia is also home to its fair share of luxurious resorts. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 What happened to 1994’s Father of the Year before he was flung off a cliff into a pack of wildebeests? Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wildebeest 

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans wildebees, from wilde wild + bees ox

First Known Use

circa 1824, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wildebeest was circa 1824

Dictionary Entries Near wildebeest

Cite this Entry

“Wildebeest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wildebeest. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

wildebeest

noun
wil·​de·​beest ˈwil-də-ˌbēst How to pronounce wildebeest (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on wildebeest

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