water buffalo

noun

: an often domesticated Asian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis synonym Bos bubalis)

Illustration of water buffalo

Illustration of water buffalo

Examples of water buffalo 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 water buffalo — whose owner was identified by troopers as Sean Myers — died from the accident, according to North Country Now. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2026 Roughly 60,000 animal bone fragments were also recovered from the cave, which indicate these Denisovans mainly hunted deer and wild bovids, including water buffalo and gaur. — Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2026 The grounds have zebras, water buffalo, bongos, wildebeests, giraffes, emus and more – see a full list of animals here. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026 Guests can try their hand at rice planting or bathing the resident water buffalo (a pampered pink-and-black pair). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for water buffalo

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of water buffalo was in 1827

Rhymes for water buffalo

See All Rhymes for water buffalo

Browse Nearby Words

waterbuck
water buffalo
water bug
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Cite this Entry

“Water buffalo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20buffalo. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

water buffalo

noun
: an Asian buffalo that is often domesticated and somewhat resembles a large ox

More from Merriam-Webster on water buffalo

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about water buffalo

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