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

Austin Breeding examining the burned carcass of a pronghorn in Miami.

From New York Times • Mar. 2, 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