elephant
Pluralelephants
- 1A very large gray animal from Africa or Asia with a long nose called a trunk and big ears.
As big as a small truck, with a nose long enough to pick things up off the ground.
The elephant raised its trunk and made a loud sound.
A group of elephants walked slowly down to the river.
- 2An elephant used as the sign of the Republican Party in the US, or the party itself.
Her campaign signs showed a small red elephant next to her name.
In this town, most people have voted for the elephant for as long as anyone can remember.
UsageOften shown with the donkey, the Democrats' animal.
Note
- 3
Less common meanings
- 4A word said after each number when counting slowly, so that each count takes about one second.
Like adding a long word between numbers so you do not count too fast.
Close your eyes and count: one elephant, two elephant, three elephant. Then look.
Count slowly: one elephant, two elephant, three elephant, then jump!
UsageYou can say one elephant, two elephant or one elephant, two elephants.
Note
- 5In Chinese chess, a piece that moves two points diagonally, cannot jump other pieces, and cannot cross the river.
In Chinese chess, she advanced her elephant to defend the center.
Your elephant cannot jump over the piece blocking its path.
Note
- 6A large size of drawing or printing paper, about 23 by 28 inches.
Note
- 7The hard, smooth white material that forms the tusks of elephants and walruses.
He sent rich gifts of elephant and gold.
1697, Virgil, The Works of VirgilHere, elephant means ivory.Note
Practice
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Origin
It came through Old French and Latin from Ancient Greek eléphās, meaning 'elephant'. The word may go back even further to an African language.
Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 3 facts
- Elephant came through Old French and Latin from Ancient Greek eléphās. en.wiktionary.org
- Ancient Greek eléphās meant elephant. en.wiktionary.org
- The word may ultimately come from an African language. en.wiktionary.org