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

Tina, 59, is battling a uterine infection and Billy, 40, could face invasive sperm extractions, according to Courtney Scott, veteran elephant consultant with In Defense of Animals.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Boyes is able to grab key footage of an elephant using his smartphone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

Sassou Nguesso told the rally, dressed in a white shirt adorned with an elephant.

From Barron's • Feb. 28, 2026

Around 61,000 years ago, the pygmy elephant population declined sharply.

From Science Daily • Feb. 19, 2026

“I just meant that...if...if you crossed an elephant with a zebra...”

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste

Related Words

• boar