plural elk also elks
1
plural usually elk
a
: 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 usually considered to constitute a separate species (C. canadensis).
called also red deer, wapiti
b
: moose sense 1
—used for one of the Old World
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 men were elk hunting in the San Juan Wilderness Area west of Trujillo Meadows Reservoir, not far from the New Mexico state line, authorities said.
—
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
Jessie Richards works for the University of Tennessee and her research lab offers to perform serology tests for moose and elk for wildlife groups, as mentioned in the article, but this service is not widely advertised, and is not for profit.
—Jessie Richards, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025
The elk walked single file, streams of breath shooting out 2 feet from their nostrils.
—Jack Atcheson Sr. As Told To Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2025
Shaffer, who works at a local hotel, added the other elk had one of his tines broken, which was later picked up by a ranger and is now on display at the Mammoth Visitor Center.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
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John Aguilar, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
Jessie Richards works for the University of Tennessee and her research lab offers to perform serology tests for moose and elk for wildlife groups, as mentioned in the article, but this service is not widely advertised, and is not for profit.
—Jessie Richards, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025
The elk walked single file, streams of breath shooting out 2 feet from their nostrils.
—Jack Atcheson Sr. As Told To Michael Hanback, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2025
Shaffer, who works at a local hotel, added the other elk had one of his tines broken, which was later picked up by a ranger and is now on display at the Mammoth Visitor Center.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elk
Cite this Entry
“Elk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elk. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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