tusk
noun
\ ˈtəsk
\
\
Definition of tusk
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: an elongated greatly enlarged tooth (as of an elephant or walrus) that projects when the mouth is closed and serves especially for digging food or as a weapon
broadly
: a long protruding tooth
2
: one of the small projections on a tusk tenon
tusk
verb
tusked;
tusking;
tusks
Definition of tusk (Entry 2 of 2)
: to dig up with a tusk
also
: to gash with a tusk
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Other Words from tusk
Noun
tusked
\ ˈtəskt
\
adjective
\
adjective
tusklike
\ ˈtəsk-ˌlīk
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of tusk in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Poaching and trading of ivory tusks and pangolins carry penalties of up to 5 years in jail in Vietnam, but the country is also a common destination for trafficked wildlife parts. — Fox News, "Vietnam police seize 7.5 tons of ivory, pangolin scales," 14 June 2019 Their lack of tusks has allowed them to fare better than African elephants, poached at alarming rates for the global ivory market. — National Geographic, "Elephant skin sales rapidly mounting," 12 Aug. 2019 Closer inspection reveals that, like the rhinoceros case of mistaken identity, this carved tusk actually came from a wholly different beast. — Los Angeles Times, "Review: Unicorns are just one of the wild rides in the Getty’s marvelous ‘Book of Beasts’," 23 July 2019 Only males have tusks, and females have been largely spared. — National Geographic, "Asian Elephant," 7 July 2019 Aurora, the adult female without tusks, eats about 36 pounds a day. — Vic Ryckaert, Indianapolis Star, "7 up-close animal experiences at the Indianapolis Zoo," 5 July 2019 The leading theory about their origin is that they were carved — most from walrus tusk — in the late 12th or early 13th century in Trondheim, Norway, Sotheby’s said in a press release. — Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, "Mom thought the $6 knickknack might be magic. She wasn’t far off.," 3 June 2019 Authorities say the ivory, with tusks from nearly 300 elephants, is worth $12.9 million; the pangolin scales, estimated to have been taken from around 2,000 Giant Ground Pangolins, would fetch around $35.7 million. — Jack Guy, CNN, "Singapore seizes tusks from 300 elephants in ivory haul worth $12.9 million," 23 July 2019 Older bulls accounted for all of the remains that the scientists were able to age, indicating that poachers, for now, are targeting individuals with the largest tusks. — New York Times, "Poachers Are Invading Botswana, Last Refuge of African Elephants," 1 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
He also was ordered to transfer the elephant’s tusks back to the Zimbabwean government. — Washington Post, "Charges filed against South Africa hunter over ivory import," 22 May 2018 Now American Airlines is telling passengers some of their service and emotional support animals — including goats, hedgehogs and tusked creatures — can’t fly. — Lauren Zumbach, chicagotribune.com, "American Airlines bans emotional support amphibians, ferrets, goats and more," 14 May 2018 In fact, last July Hong Kong authorities seized 7.2 tons of elephant tusks hidden under a shipment of frozen fish from Malaysia, the largest ivory bust. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Hong Kong Will Phase Out Ivory Trade by 2021," 2 Feb. 2018 TUSK TAKERS: Thai officials at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, in Bangkok, Thailand, confiscated nearly 700 pounds of African elephant tusks worth about $800,000, the Associated Press says. — Jonathan Irish, National Geographic, "Law Enforcement Officer Fatally Shot By Suspected Poacher," 10 Apr. 2016These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tusk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for tusk
tusk
noun
English Language Learners Definition of tusk
: a very long, large tooth that sticks out of the mouth of an animal (such as an elephant, walrus, or boar)
See the full definition for tusk in the English Language Learners Dictionary
tusk
noun
\ ˈtəsk
\
\
Kids Definition of tusk
: a very long large tooth (as of an elephant or walrus) that sticks out when the mouth is closed and is used especially in digging and fighting
tusk
noun
\ ˈtəsk
\
\
Medical Definition of tusk
: an elongated greatly enlarged tooth that projects when the mouth is closed and serves for digging food or as a weapon
broadly
: a long protruding tooth
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