plural elk also elks
1
plural usually elk
a
: moose sense 1
used for one of the Old World
b
: 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 sometimes considered to constitute a separate species (C. canadensis).

called also red deer, wapiti

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 In October 2022, thieves stole a trophy-sized elk skull from a hunters backyard in Lander, Wyoming, and last August, a man was fined a whopping $5,000 for illegally collecting shed antlers in Grand Teton National Park. Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 29 Feb. 2024 An elk hunter in Wyoming encountered a strangely aggressive coyote over the weekend while hunting along the Wind River. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 31 Jan. 2024 Carpenter has a history of getting on giant Roosevelt elk, and this bull was very special to say the least. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 7 Feb. 2024 An avid elk hunter with multiple Roosevelt records to his name, Carpenter, 39, works as an elk guide in the fall and a wildlife biologist in the springtime. Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 7 Feb. 2024 The Game and Fish Department visited the property on October 28 to hand signs warning people not to feed or approach any elk. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2023 This classic elk shade with mountain red laces is available in sizes 5–12, including half and wide options. Mia Huelsbeck, Peoplemag, 6 Oct. 2023 The Broken Arrow Ranch elk filet at Hunt & Gather, a fine-dining restaurant in Torrey. Heather L. King, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 July 2023 Carpenter’s record won’t be official until after his elk is analyzed by either an Awards Program Judges Panel or a Special Judges Panel, B&C said. Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 7 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from Old English eolh; akin to Old High German elaho elk, Greek elaphos deer

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of elk was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near elk

Cite this Entry

“Elk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elk. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

elk

noun
plural elk or elks
1
: moose
used for one of Europe or Asia
2
: a large deer of North America, Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa that has large curved antlers with many branches and that lives in herds

called also red deer, wapiti

More from Merriam-Webster on elk

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