plural bison
: any of several large living or extinct bovine mammals (genus Bison) that have a long, broad head, short, hollow horns, heavy forequarters, a large muscular hump across the shoulders, and a shaggy mane on the head and lower neck and that typically live and migrate in herds: such as

Examples of bison in a Sentence

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Visitors to this park may be lucky enough to spot bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, bison, and black-footed ferrets. Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026 Not every close call involves death-defying drop-offs and enraged bison. Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 Visitors can hike trails and drive a scenic route through the colorful, rugged Badlands where bison and wild horses roam. Jack Dura, Fortune, 2 July 2026 This old bison carcass had some activity yesterday but was the hotspot for wildlife viewing today. David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bison

Word History

Etymology

Latin bisont-, bison, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wisant aurochs; akin to Old Prussian wissambrs aurochs

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bison was circa 1611

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Cite this Entry

“Bison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bison. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

plural bison
: any of several large shaggy-maned mammals related to the ox with a large head, short horns, and a large fleshy hump above the shoulders
especially : buffalo sense c

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