noun
C2
Proficient
ruminant
ROO-mih-nunt
Ruminant (noun) means a mammal, such as a cow or deer, that chews cud and belongs to the suborder Ruminantia. Example: “A cow is a ruminant.”
noun
1
A mammal, such as a cow or deer, that chews cud and belongs to the suborder Ruminantia.
"A cow is a ruminant."
"Deer are ruminants and spend time chewing cud."
"Farmers keep ruminants such as cattle and sheep."
adjective
1
Chewing cud.
"The ruminant animals stood quietly in the field."
"A ruminant stomach has several chambers."
How to use ruminant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn animal, like a cow or deer, that chews cud.
When to use it
It is a fairly technical word, common in farming and biology.
Memory tip
As a noun it names the animal, and as an adjective it describes chewing cud.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
ruminant animal
ruminant mammal
ruminant stomach
grazing ruminants
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A cow is a _____.
Etymology
Ruminant comes from Latin ruminans, the present participle of ruminari, meaning to chew the cud. That verb is linked to rumen, a Latin word for the throat or the first stomach of a ruminant.
Antonyms
nonruminant
Rhymes for ruminant
See all rhymes for ruminant →Frequently asked questions
What is a ruminant?
A ruminant is a mammal that chews cud, such as cattle or deer.
Is a cow a ruminant?
Yes. Cattle are given as a standard example of ruminants.
What does ruminate have to do with ruminant?
The two words are related, and both come from the Latin verb for chewing the cud.
What is the meaning of ruminant?
"ruminant" (noun) means a mammal, such as a cow or deer, that chews cud and belongs to the suborder Ruminantia.
