bison

[ bahy-suhn, -zuhn ]

noun

, plural bi·son.

1. Also called American bison, American buffalo. a North American, oxlike ruminant, Bison bison, having a large head and high, humped shoulders: formerly common in North America, its small remaining population in isolated western areas of the U.S. and Canada is now protected.
2. Also called wisent. a related animal, Bison bonasus, of Europe, less shaggy and slightly larger than the American bison: now greatly reduced in number.

bison

/ ˈbaɪsən /

noun

1. Also calledAmerican bisonbuffalo a member of the cattle tribe, Bison bison , formerly widely distributed over the prairies of W North America but now confined to reserves and parks, with a massive head, shaggy forequarters, and a humped back
2. Also calledwisentEuropean bison a closely related and similar animal, Bison bonasus , formerly widespread in Europe

Other Words From

• bi·son·tine [bahy, -s, uh, n-tahyn, -z, uh, n-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bison¹

1350–1400; Middle English bisontes (plural) < Latin (nominative singular bisōn ) < Germanic; compare Old High German wisunt, Old English wesend, Old Norse visundr

Word History and Origins

Origin of bison¹

C14: from Latin bisōn , of Germanic origin; related to Old English wesand , Old Norse vīsundr

Example Sentences

This means a decline in habitat quality for grazers like bison and elk, whose winter-killed carcasses grizzlies feed upon.

From The Daily Beast

Some bison die during the violence of the rut in August; there is intense competition by bears for these rare summer carcasses.

From The Daily Beast

Some of those 900 bison might have perished naturally during the killing cold of winter and provided spring food for grizzlies.

From The Daily Beast

I did once see a pack of wolves try to bring down a bison at decade or so ago.

From The Daily Beast

Take the case of the American bison: The ice-age bison evolved into the Plains buffalo, Bison bison, perhaps 10,000 years ago.

From The Daily Beast

See if you can find out something about the great herds of bison that used to live in this country.

From Project Gutenberg

Ever since the reindeer went away the Cave-men had been looking for the return of the bison.

From Project Gutenberg

The edge of the lowland forest where the bison wintered could be seen far away.

From Project Gutenberg

Then everybody climbed up a hill or a high cliff and watched the coming of the bison.

From Project Gutenberg

Whenever a herd reached a branching valley, a big bison led off a small herd.

From Project Gutenberg