moose

noun

plural moose
1
: a ruminant mammal (Alces alces) with humped shoulders, long legs, and broadly palmated antlers that is the largest existing member of the deer family and inhabits forested areas of Canada, the northern U.S., Europe, and Asia
2
capitalized [Loyal Order of Moose] : a member of a major benevolent and fraternal order

Illustration of moose

Illustration of moose
  • moose 1

Examples of moose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web If your little one is not into bunnies, these slippers are also available in shark, brown bear, puppy, and moose styles. Maya Polton, Parents, 18 Mar. 2024 Besides the moose encounter and time penalty, the race had other controversial issues this year. CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 Some even thought the moose seemed to be having a good time, too. Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 8 Feb. 2024 But sometimes the most memorable dishes are the unexpected ones, like the time my friend showed up with moose meatballs made from a moose her dad hunted in North Dakota with a bow and arrow. Matt Brooks, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2024 On the way up or down, keep an eye out for moose and bears, which my kids have spotted more than once. John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2024 The hunters handed over the moose skull and meat, court documents say. Brooke Baitinger, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2024 All the iconic Rocky Mountains animals are present in the park — moose, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, wolves, cougars, and grizzly bears. Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 The scientists estimated a wolf killed 0.52 moose every month last year. Todd Richmond, Detroit Free Press, 2 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'moose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

of Algonquian origin; akin to Massachusett moos moose

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of moose was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near moose

Cite this Entry

“Moose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moose. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

moose

noun
plural moose
: a large cud-chewing mammal with broad flattened antlers and humped shoulders that is related to the deer and lives in forests of Canada, the northern U.S., Europe, and Asia

Geographical Definition

Moose

geographical name

river 50 miles (80 kilometers) long in northeastern Ontario, Canada, flowing northeast into James Bay

Note: The Moose River is actually an estuary of the Abitibi, Mattagami, and other rivers.

More from Merriam-Webster on moose

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