rhinoceros

American  

[rahy-nos-er-uhs] / raɪˈnɒs ər əs /

noun

plural

rhinoceroses,

plural

rhinoceros

1. any of several large, thick-skinned, perissodactyl mammals of the family Rhinocerotidae, of Africa and India, having one or two upright horns on the snout: all rhinoceroses are endangered.

2. Douay Bible. unicorn.

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rhinoceros British  

/ ˌraɪnəʊsɪˈrɒtɪk, raɪˈnɒsərəs, -ˈnɒsrəs /

noun

1. any of several perissodactyl mammals constituting the family Rhinocerotidae of SE Asia and Africa and having either one horn on the nose, like the Indian rhinoceros ( Rhinoceros unicornis ), or two horns, like the African white rhinoceros ( Diceros simus ) They have a very thick skin, massive body, and three digits on each foot

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Usage

Plural word for rhinoceros The plural form of rhinoceros is rhinoceroses. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -s are also formed in this way, such as pass/passes, lotus/lotuses, and dress/dresses. In some words derived from Latin that end in -us, the irregular plural ending -i is used, as in fungus/fungi and cactus/cacti. Sometimes, for humorous effect or as an overcorrection, people apply the same kind of ending to rhinoceros (because it sounds like it ends in -us), as in rhinoceri. However, this is not a valid plural form of rhinoceros.

Other Word Forms

• rhinocerotic adjective

Etymology

Origin of rhinoceros

1300–50; Middle English rinoceros < Late Latin rhīnoceros < Greek rhīnókerōs, equivalent to rhīno- rhino- + -kerōs -horned, adj. derivative of kéras horn (of an animal)

Explanation

With its massive size, thick skin, and horned snout, the rhinoceros may look like a fearsome creature from a prehistoric world, but this powerful pachyderm is actually a herbivore found in Southeast Asia and Africa. Despite their tough and intimidating appearance, the diet of a rhinoceros consists primarily of grasses, leaves, and shoots rather than smaller animals. Sadly, the rhinoceros is an endangered animal due to illegal hunting and habitat loss. The rhinoceros plays a crucial role in its environment, contributing to the ecosystem by helping to shape the landscape with its grazing and promoting biodiversity with its presence.

Example Sentences

"I've got three favourites, the rhinoceros, tigers and red pandas," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Airport authorities and police seized six pieces of rhinoceros horn and around 12 kilograms of unidentified meat used to conceal them inside a polystyrene icebox.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

Johan Marais spots a rhinoceros from a helicopter and shoots it with a tranquilizer dart.

From Salon • Jun. 16, 2025

Neanderthals were expert hunters, bringing down large game such as wild horses, wooly rhinoceros, cave lions, and even mammoths using sharpened stone spears affixed to wooden shafts with adhesives like birch tar.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 22, 2024

Tiger, rhinoceros, ostrich, wild boar, brown bear—no matter the beast, you must get its goat.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel