ruminants
nounUK /ˈruːmɪnənts/
US /ˈruːmənənts/
Ruminants are animals like cows and sheep that chew their food twice.
Cows, goats, and deer are all ruminants.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Animals that have a special four-part stomach for digesting grass.
The farmer keeps several ruminants in the barn.
3. A group of mammals that includes cows, sheep, and giraffes.
Scientists study ruminants to learn how they digest tough plants.
4. People who think deeply about something for a long time.
The quiet ruminants at the meeting spoke only after long thought.