noun
bison
BYE-sun/ˈbaɪsn/
A large, shaggy wild animal of the cattle family native to North America or Europe.
The bison has shaggy forequarters, a broad shoulder hump, and short horns.
Etymology
Latin bison named a wild ox. English first used the name for the European animal, then extended it to the North American species.
In context
Even the buffalo were really a species of bison.
More examples
- The herd of bison moved slowly toward the river.
- The European bison stood beneath the forest trees.
- A shaggy coat covered the bison’s shoulders.
Forms
bison
Similar words
- buffalo
- American buffalo commonly refers to bison; true buffalo are different animals native to Africa or Asia.