eland

noun

ˈē-lənd How to pronounce eland (audio)
-ˌland
plural eland also elands
: either of two large African antelopes (Taurotragus oryx synonym Tragelaphus oryx and Taurotragus derbianus synonym Tragelaphus derbianus) bovine in form with short spirally twisted horns in both sexes

Illustration of eland

Illustration of eland

Examples of eland 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.
Giant East Cape kudu, nyala, waterbuck, and eland are just the start. Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 11 July 2024 Mary is an eland, the largest type of antelope, known for their endurance, according to the African Wildlife Foundation. Daniel Kool, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Apr. 2023 Clients come to Warthog to hunt (and photograph) all manner of game, from the giant eland to the tiny duiker. Mark Jenkins, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Jan. 2023 The victim and the park’s owner, Richard Berglund, were taking the animals into stables after the park had closed when an eland, the world’s largest species of antelope, gored the employee, Berglund told reporters. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 30 Aug. 2022 See all Example Sentences for eland 

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans, elk, from Dutch, from obsolete German Elend, probably from obsolete Lithuanian ellenis; akin to Old High German elaho elk — more at elk

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eland was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near eland

Cite this Entry

“Eland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eland. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

eland

noun
ˈē-lənd How to pronounce eland (audio)
-ˌland
: either of two large African antelopes resembling oxen and having short spirally twisted horns in both sexes

More from Merriam-Webster on eland

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!