kudu

noun

ku·du ˈkü-(ˌ)dü

variants or less commonly koodoo

plural kudu or kudus also koodoo or koodoos

: a large grayish brown African antelope (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) with large annulated spirally twisted horns

also : a related antelope (T. imberbis)

Examples of kudu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The kudu is my favorite African antelope. — Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2025 Game drives offered sightings of kudu, giraffe, zebra, and impala. — Melanie Van Zyl, AFAR Media, 16 June 2025 Zebras, kudu, lions—all such unpredictable beasts. — The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025 Jews of Yemenite heritage use the kudu antelope, whose spectacularly long horns produce a strikingly deep sound. — Sarah Pessin, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kudu

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans koedoe, from Khoikhoi kudu-b, kudu-s

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of kudu was in 1777

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

kudos

kudu

Kudus

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Kudu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kudu. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

kudu

noun

ku·du

variants also koodoo

ˈküd-(ˌ)ü

plural kudu or kudus also koodoo or koodoos

: a large grayish brown African antelope with long twisted horns

kudu

noun

Illustration of kudu

Examples of kudu in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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