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Definition of muskox

muskox

/ˈmʌskˌɑːks/
musk · ox
Plural:muskoxen
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muskox Lexical Profile

muskox Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large, heavily built, shaggy-haired ungulate native to the Arctic regions of North America and Greenland, noted for its thick coat and the strong, musky odor emitted by males during the rut.

Example

"The herd of muskoxen formed a defensive circle to protect their young from the approaching Arctic wolves."

Photo by Quartl / CC BY-SA 3.0

• Nearby Words

musketeer
muskiness
muskmelon
muskox
muskrat
musky
muslin

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 18th century from 'musk' and 'ox', named for the strong, musky odor emitted by the males during the mating season and their large, bovine appearance, though they are taxonomically more closely related to sheep and goats.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Muskox. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/muskox
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