elephant

American  

[el-uh-fuhnt] / ˈɛl ə fənt /

noun

plural

elephants,

plural

elephant

1. a very large herbivorous mammal of the family Elephantidae, the only extant family of proboscideans and comprising the genera Loxodonta (African elephants ) and Elephas (Asian elephants ): Elephants of all species are characterized by a long, prehensile trunk formed of the nose and upper lip, pillarlike legs, and prominent tusks, which are possessed by both sexes of Loxodonta and just the males of Elephas.

2. a representation of this animal, used in the United States since 1874 as the emblem of the Republican Party.

3. Chiefly British. a size of drawing or writing paper, 23 × 28 inches (58 × 71 centimeters).

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idioms

1. elephant in the room. elephant in the room.

elephant British  

/ ˈɛlɪfənt /

noun

1. either of the two proboscidean mammals of the family Elephantidae . The African elephant ( Loxodonta africana ) is the larger species, with large flapping ears and a less humped back than the Indian elephant ( Elephas maximus ), of S and SE Asia

2. a size of writing paper, 23 by 28 inches

3. an obvious truth deliberately ignored by all parties in a situation

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elephant Cultural  

1. A symbol (see also symbol) of the Republican party, introduced in a series of political cartoons by Thomas Nast during the congressional elections of 1874. (Compare donkey.)

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elephant More Idioms  

1. see see the elephant; white elephant.

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Other Word Forms

• elephantoid adjective

Etymology

Origin of elephant

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Latin elephantus, from Greek elephant- (stem of eléphās ) “elephant”; replacing Middle English olifaunt, from Anglo-French, from unattested Vulgar Latin olifantus, for Latin elephantus

Example Sentences

But there was an immense elephant in that grand and glittering Paris meeting and the underlying atmosphere was extremely tense.

From BBC

A Kenyan elephant believed to have been one of Africa's largest male tuskers has died of old age.

From BBC

In the end, Elmer the patchwork elephant seemed the friendliest, least controversial decision.

From The Wall Street Journal

These snakes are often called elephant trunk snakes because of their unusually loose, baggy skin.

From Science Daily

“The elephant in the room remains the invisible AI strategy,” Ives wrote.

From Barron's

Related Words

• boar