aurochs

American  

[awr-oks] / ˈɔr ɒks /

noun

aurochs plural

1. a large, black European wild ox, Bos primigenius: extinct since 1627.

2. (not used scientifically) the European bison.

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aurochs British  

/ ˈɔːrɒks /

noun

1. Also called: urus.  a recently extinct member of the cattle tribe, Bos primigenius, that inhabited forests in N Africa, Europe, and SW Asia. It had long horns and is thought to be one of the ancestors of modern cattle

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• aurochs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of aurochs

1760–70; < German, variant (now obsolete) of Auerochs, Middle High German ūrochse, Old High German ūrohso, equivalent to ūr (cognate with Old English ūr bison) + ohso ox

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

aurochs

"It's from something bigger than a cow, from a mammoth, Irish elk and aurochs to more unusual stuff like wild horse or rhino," he told the BBC.

From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2026

The engravings, which depict animals such as camels, ibex, equids, gazelles, and aurochs, include 130 highly detailed and life-sized figures, some reaching up to 3 meters long and more than 2 meters tall.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2025

Sinding, who has extracted ancient DNA from Pleistocene wolves, woolly rhinoceroses and aurochs, was surprised and excited to hear that Colossal Biosciences planned to re-create the dodo.

From Scientific American ● Jan. 31, 2023

The techniques that permitted the transformation of aurochs and wild sheep into beef and lamb have a hint of wholesomeness about them.

From Slate ● Dec. 24, 2022

Despite their size, aurochs are gentle creatures who only use their horns to fight for mates, or defend their young.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver