elk

noun

ˈelk 

plural elk also elks

1

plural usually elk

a

: moose sense 1

—used for one of the Old World

b

: a large gregarious deer (Cervus elaphus) of North America, Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa with the male having large antlers and many tines and that often form large herds

Note: The North American elk is sometimes considered to constitute a separate species (C. canadensis).

called also red deer, wapiti

c

: any of various large Asian deer

2

: soft tanned rugged leather

3

usually Elk plural Elks [Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks] : a member of a major benevolent and fraternal order

Examples of elk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The video shows a donkey standing with over 10 elk. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024

Statewide, at least 532 mountain lions, 1,262 black bears, 240 elk, 59 bighorn sheep and about 45,000 other large wild animals, most of them deer, were hit and killed by vehicles in California between 2016 and 2023, according to an annual study by Shilling and other researchers at UC-Davis. —Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024

Eventually, someone passed photos of Cruz posing with his bull elk kill on social media to a warden, officials said. —Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 20 June 2024

The Roosevelt’s elk, which is named for conservationist and Boone & Crockett Club founder Teddy Roosevelt, is found only in the Pacific Northwest, ranging from northern California through British Columbia and into Alaska. —Steven Hill, Field & Stream, 2 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from Old English eolh; akin to Old High German elaho elk, Greek elaphos deer

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing elk

• tule elk

Kids Definition

elk

noun

ˈelk 

plural elk or elks

1

: moose

—used for one of Europe or Asia

2

: a large deer of North America, Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa that has large curved antlers with many branches and that lives in herds

called also red deer, wapiti