tusk

1 of 2

noun

ˈtəsk 

1

: an elongated greatly enlarged tooth (as of an elephant or walrus) that projects when the mouth is closed and serves especially for digging food or as a weapon

broadly : a long protruding tooth

2

: one of the small projections on a tusk tenon

tusked

ˈtəskt 

adjective

tusklike

ˈtəsk-ˌlīk 

adjective

tusk

2 of 2

verb

tusked; tusking; tusks

transitive verb

: to dig up with a tusk

also : to gash with a tusk

Examples of tusk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The target odors were pangolin scales, rhino horns, elephant tusks and African blackwood, a tree that is often used to make musical instruments. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024

Mastodons were similar to the also-extinct mammoth, but had flatter heads and straighter tusks. —Reuters, 29 Sep. 2024

Verb

Mountain lions, tarantulas, snakes, and tusked pig-like creatures called javelina call the park home, too. —Pam Leblanc, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Jan. 2023

These huge, tusked mammals roamed the Earth during the Pleistocene and early Holocene epochs, before disappearing roughly 4,000 years ago. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, alteration of tux, from Old English tūx; akin to Old English tūsc tush

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1629, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tusk

• tusk tenon

Kids Definition

tusk

1 of 2 noun

ˈtəsk 

1

: a very long large tooth (as of an elephant, walrus, or boar) that sticks out when the mouth is closed and is used especially for digging food or as a weapon

2

: a tooth-shaped part

tusked

ˈtəskt 

adjective

tusk

2 of 2 verb

: to dig up or gash with a tusk

Medical Definition

tusk

noun

ˈtəsk 

: an elongated greatly enlarged tooth that projects when the mouth is closed and serves for digging food or as a weapon

broadly : a long protruding tooth