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Definition of eland

eland

/ˈiː.lənd/
e · land
Plural:elands
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eland Lexical Profile

eland Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large, heavily built African antelope characterized by tightly spiraled horns, a distinctive dewlap hanging from its neck, and a pale brownish or grayish coat.

Example

"While on a guided safari in the Serengeti, the group was fortunate enough to spot a massive eland grazing quietly among the acacia trees."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for eland

Word Nuance & Usage

Though 'eland' originally meant 'elk' in Dutch, in modern English it strictly refers to the large African antelopes of the genus Taurotragus.

• Nearby Words

elaenia
elakala
elan
eland
elapse
elastane
elastic

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Afrikaans, originating from the Dutch word 'eland' meaning 'elk'. In the 17th century, early Dutch settlers in South Africa applied the name to these large, robust antelopes due to their elk-like size.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Eland. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/eland
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