gnu

American  

[noo, nyoo] / nu, nyu /

noun

plural

gnus,

plural

gnu

1. either of two stocky, oxlike antelopes of the genus Connochaetes, the silver-gray, white-bearded C. taurinus of the eastern African plain and the black, white-tailed C. gnou of central South Africa: recently near extinction, the South African gnu is now protected.

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gnu British  

/ nuː /

noun

1. Also called: wildebeest.  either of two sturdy antelopes, Connochaetes taurinus ( brindled gnu ) or the much rarer C. gnou ( white-tailed gnu ), inhabiting the savannas of Africa, having an oxlike head and a long tufted tail

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Etymology

Origin of gnu

1770–80; < Khoikhoi, first recorded as t’gnu; probably to be identified with ǂnû black, as applying originally to the black wildebeest

Example Sentences

Lions, elephants and other African animals catch up on the latest gnus in the three-part nature series “Life at the Waterhole.”

From Los Angeles Times

But the humongous creatures have a soft spot for gnus when they’re drowning and for zebras and other migrating species that get swept up in river currents.

From Washington Post

One nurse is “as phlegmatic as a gnu.”

From New York Times

Ever heard of the gnu goat, the red-eared guenon or the Gila monster?

From BBC

His research showed that these cow-like animals, also called gnus, have remarkable adaptations, enabling them to walk up to 50 miles over five days without drinking water.

From New York Times