hippopotamus
a large herbivorous mammal, Hippopotamus amphibius, having a thick hairless body, short legs, and a large head and muzzle, found in and near the rivers, lakes, etc., of Africa, and able to remain under water for a considerable time.
Origin of hippopotamus
1Other words from hippopotamus
- hip·po·po·tam·ic [hip-uh-puh-tam-ik], /ˌhɪp ə pəˈtæm ɪk/, hip·po·po·ta·mi·an [hip-uh-puh-tey-mee-uhn], /ˌhɪp ə pəˈteɪ mi ən/, adjective
Words Nearby hippopotamus
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use hippopotamus in a sentence
In the case of the hippopotamus, they cut channels through the mud to navigate between precious water and food sources.
Lizard of Oz: Australia’s Biggest Dinosaur Discovered | Scott Hocknull and Rochelle Lawrence, The Conversation | June 7, 2021 | The Daily BeastSimilar trampling features can be seen today around Australian billabongs, or waterholes in Africa where the largest plant-eaters, such as elephants and hippopotamuses, trample mud into a hard layer.
Lizard of Oz: Australia’s Biggest Dinosaur Discovered | Scott Hocknull and Rochelle Lawrence, The Conversation | June 7, 2021 | The Daily BeastThis article is excerpted from American hippopotamus, a recent single from The Atavist.
Lake Bacon: The Story of The Man Who Wanted Us to Eat Mississippi Hippos | Jon Mooallem | August 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTPygmy hippos are a distinct sub-species to their larger cousins the common hippopotamus.
I'm not the hippopotamus I think I am when I'm comparing myself to Blake Lively.
It was a hippopotamus which had been standing on the river-brink within six yards of the muzzle of his gun.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. BallantyneHe aimed at the yawning hippopotamus and fired, hitting it on the skull, but at such an angle that the ball glanced off.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. BallantyneHe was as successful as he was brave, and he had the great good luck to meet a tiger, a young hippopotamus, and a boa constrictor.
The Animal Story Book | VariousIt was voted by acclamation, that hippopotamus was agreeable to the company.
Grace Harlowe's Plebe Year at High School | Jessie Graham FlowerLet's play I'm a hippopotamus, and you're a little yellow chicken, and I'm trying to catch you and eat you up.
Marjorie's Busy Days | Carolyn Wells
British Dictionary definitions for hippopotamus
/ (ˌhɪpəˈpɒtəməs) /
a very large massive gregarious artiodactyl mammal, Hippopotamus amphibius, living in or around the rivers of tropical Africa: family Hippopotamidae. It has short legs and a thick skin sparsely covered with hair
pigmy hippopotamus a related but smaller animal, Choeropsis liberiensis
Origin of hippopotamus
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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