pronghorn

noun

prong·​horn ˈprȯŋ-ˌhȯrn 

ˈpräŋ-

variants or less commonly pronghorn antelope

plural pronghorn or pronghorns also pronghorn antelope or pronghorn antelopes

: a swift horned ruminant mammal (Antilocapra americana) chiefly of grasslands and deserts of western North America that has a slender lean build and horns that in males grow to 10-16 inches (25-41 cm) long and have an additional forward-facing prong and in females grow to 1-2 inches (2-5 cm) long and lack a prong

Note: Although the pronghorn is sometimes informally called the pronghorn antelope or less commonly the American antelope, it belongs to a different family than true antelope and is the only living species of its family (Antilocapridae).

Illustration of pronghorn

Examples of pronghorn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But there are minor differences that can mean life or death for pronghorn, mule deer, and other wildlife trying to escape wildfires like the House Draw, the Remington Fire, or the Elk Fire near Sheridan, which was only 16 percent contained as of Thursday. —Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 10 Oct. 2024

Keep your eyes peeled for pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and foxes. —Carrie Dennis, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2024

In the winter of 2023, after months of deep, wet snow, strong winds, and cold temperatures, half of the collared pronghorn died—along with thousands more from the overall herd. —Bychristine Peterson, science.org, 16 Aug. 2024

Researchers in New Mexico are tracking how solar development is affecting pronghorn migration. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pronghorn

noun

prong·​horn ˈprȯŋ-ˌhȯ(ə)rn 

ˈpräŋ-

plural pronghorn or pronghorns

: a cud-chewing horned mammal of treeless parts of western North America resembling an antelope

called also pronghorn antelope