bison

Everyday

1. A bison is a large wild animal of the cattle family with a big shaggy head, curved horns and a hump on its back. tree →
2. American bison live in North America and are often called buffalo; European bison (wisent) live in forests in Europe. tree →

In the lessons

In science and history lessons, bison show how animals can nearly die out and be saved: there were once millions on the North American plains, then very few, and now they are protected. Native American peoples used bison for food, clothes and tools. Phrases: a herd of bison, American bison, European bison.

Examples

• A herd of bison grazed on the plains. tree →
• The bison has a big hump on its back. tree →
• Millions of bison once lived in North America. tree →
• We saw bison at the national park. tree →
• Bison are herbivores; they eat grass. tree →
• A young bison is called a calf. tree →
• If a herd has 40 bison and 9 calves are born, there are 49. tree →

Note

Plural: usually bison (the same as singular), sometimes bisons. Americans often call it a buffalo, but true buffalo live in Africa and Asia — a common confusion. Pronounced "BY-sun".