ruminant

American  

[roo-muh-nuhnt] / ˈru mə nənt /

noun

1. any even-toed, hoofed mammal of the suborder Ruminantia, consisting of the cloven-hoofed, cud-chewing quadrupeds, including cattle, sheep, goats, bison, buffalo, deer, antelopes, giraffes, and chevrotains.

---

adjective

1. being or relating to animals that ruminate or chew the cud, typically those of the suborder Ruminantia.

   Methane emissions from ruminant animals represent a quarter of all methane emissions in the region.

2. contemplative; meditative.

   In a corner of the library, a ruminant scholar sat poring over a thick book.

ruminant British  

/ ˈruːmɪnənt /

noun

1. any artiodactyl mammal of the suborder Ruminantia , the members of which chew the cud and have a stomach of four compartments, one of which is the rumen. The group includes deer, antelopes, cattle, sheep, and goats

2. any other animal that chews the cud, such as a camel

---

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the suborder Ruminantia

2. (of members of this suborder and related animals, such as camels) chewing the cud; ruminating

3. meditating or contemplating in a slow quiet way

ruminant Scientific  

/ ro̅o̅′mə-nənt /

1. Any of various even-toed hoofed mammals of the suborder Ruminantia. Ruminants usually have a stomach divided into four compartments (called the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum), and chew a cud consisting of regurgitated, partially digested food. Ruminants include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, giraffes, antelopes, and camels.

---

Usage

What does ruminant mean? A ruminant is an even-toed, hoofed, four-legged mammal that eats grass and other plants. Ruminants include domestic cattle (cows), sheep, goats, bison, buffalo, deer, antelopes, giraffes, and camels.Ruminants typically have a stomach with four compartments. They are known for chewing cud, which is food that has been regurgitated from the first compartment to be chewed again. To chew and rechew in this way is to ruminate, and this process called rumination.Ruminant can also be used as an adjective to describe such animals.It can also be used in a figurative way to describe someone who ruminates on things—extensively thinks them over or ponders them. (When used in a figurative way, the verb ruminate and the noun rumination are more commonly used than the adjective ruminant.)Example: Ruminants typically thrive in grasslands where there is ample space for them to graze.

Other Word Forms

• nonruminant noun
• ruminantly adverb
• unruminant adjective

Etymology

Origin of ruminant

First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin rūminant-, stem of rūmināns “chewing cud,” present participle of rūmināre, rūminārī “to chew cud, meditate,” verb derivative of rūmin-, stem of rūmen rumen

Example Sentences

We hear “the strangled ungulate blurt” of a distressed elk, “the ruminant crunch” of a grazing sheep.

From The Wall Street Journal

Specifically, cattle and other ruminants are a huge source of methane.

From Salon

Rennet, an enzyme naturally present in the stomachs of ruminants, would prompt the milk to coagulate, separating into curds and whey, thus laying the groundwork for modern cheese production.

From Salon

Defra said keepers of cattle, sheep, camelids, including llamas and alpacas, and other ruminants must remain vigilant and follow the restrictions applying to animal movements.

From BBC

In the cauldrons, the researchers identified blood remains from ruminants, mainly sheep and goats.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• introspective
• pensive
• reflective