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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Visitors commonly see bison, elk, bears and other animals, including wolves, moose, mountain goats and mountain lions. Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 27 June 2025 So do crickets, dogs, mice, other insects, rabbits when frightened or being killed, moose, and many, many others. Lydia Davis, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025 And, yes, big ole land mammals live here too: black and brown bears, moose, mountain goats, and porcupines, among other woodland creatures. Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 Park ranger Christopher Amidon told USA TODAY in 2023 that the park is known for two animal species that live in the park: Wolves and moose. Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for moose

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Moose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moose. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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.

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