noun
- plural of hippopotamus; large, barrel-shaped mammals with short legs, found in African rivers and lakes
Usage: The plural can also be 'hippopotami' (Latin-style) or 'hippopotamuses' (English-style); both are standard.; Often shortened to 'hippos' in informal speech.
Examples
- The hippopotamuses spent most of the day submerged in the river to stay cool.
- A group of hippopotamuses can be called a pod or a bloat.
- The zoo's hippopotamuses are fed vegetables and aquatic plants daily.
- Hippopotamuses are surprisingly fast runners despite their massive size.
- The wildlife documentary showed hippopotamuses emerging from the water at sunset.
- Baby hippopotamuses stay close to their mothers for protection.