mule deer

noun

: a long-eared deer (Odocoileus hemionus) of western North America that is larger and more heavily built than the white-tailed deer

Illustration of mule deer

Examples of mule deer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite their preying on a lot of mule deer fawns, the fawn’s first-month survival rate ranges from 45 to 60 percent, Dorak says. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026

On previous survey nights that lasted until sunrise, the researchers have seen mule deer, bobcats, badgers and foxes prowling in the cover of the dark. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026

But on Thursday, a final ruling denied the request to halt the initial phase of invasive mule deer removal. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Unlike some of the few other animals on Catalina, the mule deer population was introduced to the ecosystem in the 1920s and has since become an invasive species on the island. — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mule deer

• auctioneer
• bandelier
• belvedere
• bombardier
• brigadier
• buccaneer
• cavalier
• chandelier
• chanticleer
• chevalier
• commandeer
• disappear

Kids Definition

mule deer

noun

: a long-eared deer of western North America that is larger and more heavily built than the white-tailed deer