tusk

American  

[tuhsk] / tʌsk /

noun

1. (in certain animals) a tooth developed to great length, usually one of a pair, as in the elephant, walrus, and wild boar, but singly in the narwhal.

2. a long, pointed, or protruding tooth.

3. a projection resembling the tusk of an animal.

4. Also called gain.  Carpentry. a diagonally cut shoulder at the end of a timber for strengthening a tenon.

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verb (used with object)

1. to dig up or tear off with the tusks.

2. to gore with a tusk.

verb (used without object)

1. to dig up or thrust at the ground with the tusks.

tusk British  

/ tʌsk /

noun

1. a pointed elongated usually paired tooth in the elephant, walrus, and certain other mammals that is often used for fighting

2. the canine tooth of certain animals, esp horses

3. a sharp pointed projection

4. Also called: tusk tenon.  building trades a tenon shaped with an additional oblique shoulder to make a stronger joint

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verb

1. to stab, tear, or gore with the tusks

tusk Scientific  

/ tŭsk /

1. A long, pointed tooth, usually one of a pair, projecting from the mouth of certain animals, such as elephants, walruses, and wild pigs. Tusks are used for procuring food and as weapons.

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Other Word Forms

• tusked
  adjective
• tuskless
  adjective
• tusklike
  adjective
• untusked
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of tusk

before 900; Middle English, metathetic variant of tux, Old English, variant of tusc tush ²; cognate with Old Frisian tusk; akin to tooth

Explanation

A tusk is the long, pointed tooth seen on some animals, such as elephants, walruses, or hogs. Animals that have tusks can use them for protection against predators. Tusk rhymes with dusk. A tusk is a tooth that grows outward from an animal's mouth. How is a tusk different from a fang? Fangs are used to seize prey and bite and tear. Tusks, on the other hand, are used for defense and even as tools for digging or, in the cause of the walrus, for holding steady while on ice.

Example Sentences

Brussels could be willing to move fast on EU funds as it did for Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk after he took power a few years ago.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

They met at a Tusk fundraising event, when she bought a pink silver studded gorilla art piece created by Wood's wife.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Bradley Tusk, political strategist and campaign manager for former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, called the group “politically impotent.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Writing on X, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk referenced the decision, saying: "We are arming up together with our friends so that our enemies will never dare to attack us."

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

I had to push Grover so he wouldn’t get launched into the mountain on the Boar Tusk Express.

From "The Titan's Curse" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• ivory