bison

American  

[bahy-suhn, -zuhn] / ˈbaɪ sən, -zən /

noun

plural

bison

1. Also called American bison, American buffalo.  a North American, oxlike ruminant, Bison bison, having a large head and high, humped shoulders: formerly common in North America, its small remaining population in isolated western areas of the U.S. and Canada is now protected.

2. Also called wisent.  a related animal, Bison bonasus, of Europe, less shaggy and slightly larger than the American bison: now greatly reduced in number.

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bison British  

/ ˈbaɪsən /

noun

1. Also called: American bison.   buffalo.  a member of the cattle tribe, Bison bison , formerly widely distributed over the prairies of W North America but now confined to reserves and parks, with a massive head, shaggy forequarters, and a humped back

2. Also called: wisent.   European bison.  a closely related and similar animal, Bison bonasus , formerly widespread in Europe

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Other Word Forms

• bisontine adjective

Etymology

Origin of bison

1350–1400; Middle English bisontes (plural) < Latin (nominative singular bisōn ) < Germanic; compare Old High German wisunt, Old English wesend, Old Norse visundr

Example Sentences

Bingo buddies or rival aunties who made peace over bison burgers.”

From Literature

They also documented where and when wolves killed prey, mainly elk, bison, and deer.

From Science Daily

Deeper analysis showed ravens were in fact revisiting spots where wolves commonly took down prey -- animals like deer, elk or bison -- suggesting the birds were creating and memorizing a "resource landscape."

From Barron's

Herds of elephants, bison, and aurochs roamed freely.

From Science Daily

Take a stroll on the surrounding boardwalk for glimpses of snow-covered bison.

From The Wall Street Journal