Illustration of bighorn sheep
bighorn sheep
noun
big·horn sheep
ˈbig-ˌhȯrn- 
variants
or less commonly bighorn
plural bighorn sheep also bighorns or bighorn
: a usually grayish-brown wild sheep (Ovis canadensis) of mountainous and desert regions of western North America
Note: The bighorn sheep has a white patch on the rump and, in the males, massive horns that curve up and back over the ears and then up and forward toward the cheeks.
Examples of bighorn sheep in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That same advice applies to all large animals, like elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes.
—
Addy Bink, The Hill, 11 June 2025
As the name implies, this sprawling preserve is perfect for spotting herds of bighorn sheep congregating along the reserve’s many mountains, but these are far from the only ungulates that can be found roaming the region.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Here's how far visitors should stay back from animals at Yellowstone, per NPS:
Bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes: Stay more than 25 yards, or 75 feet, away
Bears, wolves and cougars: Stay at least 100 yards, or 300 feet, away
How many bison are at Yellowstone?
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 11 June 2025
It’s located within the Oak Creek Wildlife Area, where hundreds of elk and bighorn sheep gather for feedings each winter.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bighorn sheep
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Addy Bink, The Hill, 11 June 2025
As the name implies, this sprawling preserve is perfect for spotting herds of bighorn sheep congregating along the reserve’s many mountains, but these are far from the only ungulates that can be found roaming the region.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Here's how far visitors should stay back from animals at Yellowstone, per NPS:
Bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose and coyotes: Stay more than 25 yards, or 75 feet, away
Bears, wolves and cougars: Stay at least 100 yards, or 300 feet, away
How many bison are at Yellowstone?
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 11 June 2025
It’s located within the Oak Creek Wildlife Area, where hundreds of elk and bighorn sheep gather for feedings each winter.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bighorn sheep
Cite this Entry
“Bighorn sheep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bighorn%20sheep. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bighorn sheep
noun
big·horn sheep
ˈbig-ˌhȯrn-
: a usually grayish brown wild sheep of mountainous western North America
called also bighorn, Rocky Mountain sheep
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