elk

American  

[elk] / ɛlk /

noun

plural

elks,

plural

elk

1. Also called European elk.  the moose, Alces alces.

2. Also called American elk, wapiti.  a large North American deer, Cervus canadensis, the male of which has large, spreading antlers.

3. a pliable leather used for sport shoes, made originally of elk hide but now of calfskin or cowhide tanned and smoked to resemble elk hide.

4. (initial capital letter) a member of a fraternal organization Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks that supports or contributes to various charitable causes.

---

elk British  

/ ɛlk /

noun

1. a large deer, Alces alces, of N Europe and Asia, having large flattened palmate antlers: also occurs in North America, where it is called a moose

2. another name for wapiti

3. a stout pliable waterproof leather made from calfskin or horsehide

---

Etymology

Origin of elk

before 900; Middle English; Old English eolc, eolh; cognate with German Elch ( Old High German el ( a ) ho ), Latin alcēs, Greek álkē

Example Sentences

Sure, the closest grocery store may be leagues away and, yeah, the freezer is stocked with elk meat instead of ice cream.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

Deeper analysis showed ravens were in fact revisiting spots where wolves commonly took down prey -- animals like deer, elk or bison -- suggesting the birds were creating and memorizing a "resource landscape."

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

Wolves did not eat the cougars but instead consumed the elk the cougars had killed.

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026

He’s an avid hunter and also enjoys collecting “sheds,” antlers dropped annually by deer and elk.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025

Marmots will also do in a pinch, but under no circumstances should you think of elk.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood