gosling

noun

gos·​ling ˈgäz-liŋ 

ˈgȯz-, 

-lən

1

: a young goose

2

: a foolish or callow person

Examples of gosling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During spring and summer, those same ponds and lakes provided excellent nesting and gosling-rearing areas. — Mark Vrtiska, The Conversation, 30 July 2026

Two Canada geese and six gangly brown-suède goslings walked among the refuse, while in the near distance the truck horns and the protesters’ chants rose up. — Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 15 June 2026

Parent Canadian geese hiss at passing dogs to protect their four young goslings. — Chi Varnado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026

Each year, Canada geese around the Independence Center mall lay eggs, and employees and customers watch and wait for fluffy goslings to hatch. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from gos goose

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gosling

noun

gos·​ling ˈgäz-liŋ 

ˈgȯz-, 

-lən

: a young goose