A North American buffalo of the subspecies Bison bison bison, which is smaller and of a lighter colour than the wood buffalo, and formerly inhabited much of the prairie region of central and western North America, where it is now confined to reserves.
Origin
Late 19th century.
Definition of plains buffalo in US English:
plains buffalo
noun
A North American buffalo of the subspecies Bison bison bison, which is smaller and of a lighter colour than the wood buffalo, and formerly inhabited much of the prairie region of central and western North America, where it is now confined to reserves.