pronghorn

American  

[prawng-hawrn, prong-] / ˈprɔŋˌhɔrn, ˈprɒŋ- /

noun

pronghorns plural

1. a fleet, antelopelike ruminant, Antilocapra americana, of the plains of western North America: now greatly reduced in number and endangered in some areas.

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pronghorn British  

/ ˈprɒŋˌhɔːn /

noun

1. Also called: American antelope.  a ruminant mammal, Antilocapra americana, inhabiting rocky deserts of North America and having small branched horns: family Antilocapridae

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• pronghorns
  plural
• pronghorn
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pronghorn

First recorded in 1805–15; prong + horn

Compare meaning

How does pronghorn compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• pronghorn vs. antelope

Example Sentences

Increased pronghorn productivity is associated with higher shrub cover and herbaceous biomass -- that is to say biomass that isn't woody, like trees.

From Science Daily • Mar. 12, 2024

The question of whether humans can build necessary solar infrastructure without harming nature is playing out in the grasslands of the American West, prime locations for solar farms and home to animals like pronghorn.

From New York Times • Feb. 13, 2024

The area also includes habitat for the greater sage grouse as well as bighorn sheep, mule deer and pronghorn antelope.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 22, 2023

Fish and Wildlife Service are collecting tissue samples from 24 endangered mammal species, including the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, the Mexican wolf, and the Sonoran pronghorn.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 4, 2023

Game one zips by G4 like a pronghorn antelope, fast and furious, and just when we wind the corner to a record thirteen-goal shutout our goalie goes down with a, get this, broken pinkie toe.

From "Booked" by Kwame Alexander