woolly mammoth

noun

: a heavy-coated mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) formerly inhabiting the colder parts of the northern hemisphere

Illustration of woolly mammoth

Illustration of woolly mammoth

Examples of woolly mammoth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Colossal has made headlines pursuing the de-extinction of the woolly mammoth, the Tasmanian tiger, and the dodo. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024 The school’s uncertain athletic future is the woolly mammoth in the room, a massive complicating factor that assuredly will scare off many otherwise qualified candidates. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for woolly mammoth 

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

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of woolly mammoth was in 1874

Dictionary Entries Near woolly mammoth

woolly locoweed

woolly mammoth

woolly manzanita

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“Woolly mammoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woolly%20mammoth. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

woolly mammoth

noun
: an extinct mammal that was a heavy-coated mammoth of cold northern regions and is known from fossils, from the drawings of prehistoric human beings, and from entire dead frozen bodies dug up in Siberia

More from Merriam-Webster on woolly mammoth

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about woolly mammoth

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