dehorn

verb
de·​horn | \ (ˌ)dē-ˈhȯrn How to pronounce dehorn (audio) \
dehorned; dehorning; dehorns

Definition of dehorn

transitive verb

1 : to deprive of horns
2 : to prevent the growth of the horns of

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from dehorn

dehorner noun

Examples of dehorn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Before being released, the animals were dehorned, to discourage poachers from attacking them. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "16 Black Rhinos Successfully Relocated to Eswatini," 26 July 2019 The total annual cost to the government would have been around 15 million francs, and dehorning would have still been allowed. Brian Blackstone, WSJ, "Swiss Voters to Cows: We Won’t Pay for You to Keep Your Horns," 25 Nov. 2018 After protracted litigation, South Africa’s highest court in 2017 came down on the side of dehorning, lifting the ban on trading horn within the country. Jason Florio, Smithsonian, "The Dangerous Work of Relocating 5,000-Pound Rhinos," 22 May 2018 Even so, conservationists remain divided over some issues, particularly whether to dehorn rhinos—and what to do with the horn. Jason Florio, Smithsonian, "The Dangerous Work of Relocating 5,000-Pound Rhinos," 22 May 2018 Unlike the rhinos dehorned on Hume’s ranch, those that cross paths with poachers do not walk away. Rachel Nuwer, Newsweek, "Legal Trade in Rhinoceros Horns Could Save the Species From Extinction—Or Hasten Their Demise.," 21 Nov. 2016 In October, a heartbreaking image of a slain and dehorned rhino won the 2017 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition, an annual contest hosted by the National History Museum in London. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "The Touching Story Behind This Award-Winning Wildlife Image," 22 Feb. 2018 Stirton’s image, which shows a black rhino recently killed and dehorned by poachers in South Africa’s Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve would be beautiful if not for the grizzly butchering that has taken place on the rhino’s face. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Tragedy and Beauty of Nature on Display in This Year’s Best Wildlife Photos," 19 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dehorn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of dehorn

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more