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Definition of eland
eland
/ˈiː.lənd/
e · land
Plural:elands
eland Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
eland Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• 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 elandWord Nuance & Usage
Though 'eland' originally meant 'elk' in Dutch, in modern English it strictly refers to the large African antelopes of the genus Taurotragus.
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 Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/eland