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
Moose [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.
The rest-stop company has filed more than a dozen trademark lawsuits, including four this year alone, arguing that other business logos – many of them on smaller regional shops and featuring alligators, bears, and moose – infringe on its branding. Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026 Haakenson, who grew up in Soldotna, told the outlet that the pair had headed out after work to scout for moose. Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026 Roobroeck was a moose around the net, which is where the 6-7, 222-pounder scored his goal, and was relied on for key faceoffs. Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Among the many animals found at Isle Royale National Park are moose and gray wolves. Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Moose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moose. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

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

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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