moose

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noun \ ˈmüs \

Definition of moose

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

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Recent Examples of moose from the Web

Hot on the heels of the moose are the wolves and cougars that prey on them.

— joshua rapp learn, Smithsonian, "How Killing Moose Can Save Caribou," 29 Aug. 2017
Finns from all over the country — there were also a few teams from Russia — effectively doubled the population of the small town, where road signs warning of crossing moose dot the quiet roadways.

— andrew keh, New York Times, "Finland Has a Sports Screw Loose," 27 July 2017
But even more unusual than that moose was a very rare glimpse of an actual car.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "Visiting Big Sky country is strange trip," 16 July 2017
In fact, seeing any bull moose was a remarkable event.

— steve meyer, Alaska Dispatch News, "Trying to make sense of Alaska’s moose-hunting regulations," 28 June 2017
Out of more than a million moose across the Northern Hemisphere, two twin moose calves don’t quite look like the rest.

— casey smith, National Geographic, "Rare White Moose Twins Caught on Camera," 22 June 2017
Experience Isle Royale's wilderness Nearly 900 square miles of unspoiled wilderness crisscrossed by 165 miles of trails and teeming with some 1,600 moose, Isle Royale National Park offers a unique outdoor experience.

— mark spezia, Detroit Free Press, "Ultimate Michigan summer sports bucket list: 50 activities you must try," 18 June 2017
Experience Isle Royale's wilderness Nearly 900 square miles of unspoiled wilderness crisscrossed by 165 miles of trails and teeming with some 1,600 moose, Isle Royale National Park offers a unique outdoor experience.

— mark spezia, Detroit Free Press, "Ultimate Michigan summer sports bucket list: 50 activities you must try," 18 June 2017
We were given the stink eye by a bull moose and his harem.

— jan ostroff, Philly.com, "Fulfilling a dream, with polar bears," 28 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'moose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of moose

Origin and Etymology of moose

of Algonquian origin; akin to Massachusett moos moose

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1603

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Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

Moose

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geographical name \ ˈmüs \

Definition of Moose

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.

MOOSE Defined for English Language Learners

moose

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noun

Definition of moose for English Language Learners

: a large animal with very large, flat antlers that lives in forests in the northern part of America, Europe, and Asia

MOOSE Defined for Kids

moose

play

noun \ ˈmüs \

Definition of moose for Students

plural moose

:a large animal with broad flattened antlers and humped shoulders that is related to the deer and lives in forests of Canada, the northern United States, Europe, and Asia

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See words that rhyme with moose Spanish Central: Translation of moose Nglish: Translation of moose for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about moose

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moose

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moose

Definition of moose for English Language Learners

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moose

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