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
And a winter wildlife tour with adventure company Radventures ($86) takes in iconic sites like Cave and Basin thermal springs while scouting resident animals like bighorn sheep and elk.
—
Jen Murphy, Outside, 20 Dec. 2025
Palm Canyon Trail The Palm Canyon Trail in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a roughly 3-mile, mostly easy loop that leads to California fan palm trees and an accompanying stream, a popular watering spot for peninsular bighorn sheep and a favorite among hikers.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Dec. 2025
There is no hunting season for bighorn sheep in the hunting unit where it was killed.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 2 Dec. 2025
At nearly 800,000 acres, Joshua Tree National Park features a whole host of amazing wonders, including Joshua tree (or yucca) forests, enormous rock formations, a cholla cactus garden, bighorn sheep, and tortoises.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
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Jen Murphy, Outside, 20 Dec. 2025
Palm Canyon Trail The Palm Canyon Trail in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a roughly 3-mile, mostly easy loop that leads to California fan palm trees and an accompanying stream, a popular watering spot for peninsular bighorn sheep and a favorite among hikers.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Dec. 2025
There is no hunting season for bighorn sheep in the hunting unit where it was killed.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 2 Dec. 2025
At nearly 800,000 acres, Joshua Tree National Park features a whole host of amazing wonders, including Joshua tree (or yucca) forests, enormous rock formations, a cholla cactus garden, bighorn sheep, and tortoises.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 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 3 Jan. 2026.
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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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