wigeon

noun

wi·​geon ˈwi-jən How to pronounce wigeon (audio)
variants or widgeon
plural wigeon or wigeons or widgeon or widgeons
: any of several freshwater ducks (genus Mareca): such as
a
: an Old World duck (M. penelope) having a large white patch on each wing with the male having a reddish-brown head and buff crown

Examples of wigeon 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.
Haugen is seeing more and more Eurasian wigeon, which are rare ducks for most of us. Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2025 Along the way around Lake Murray, walkers can take in wildlife, such as migrating American wigeon and Canada geese, which congregate near the lake’s recreation area. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2024 To Oregon Sports Hall of Famer Nick Roberston of Portland, who scored three ducks (gadwall, mallard drake and wigeon) on the last day of the duck season — with one shot, his latest three-pointer. Bill Monroe, oregonlive, 10 Feb. 2023 An Eurasian wigeon, two redheads, and two lingering laughing gulls at Acoaxet, a possible Bell’s vireo at the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust Ocean View Farm Reserve and a prairie warbler at the Egypt Lane Ponds in Fairhaven. Isabela Rocha, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for wigeon

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1508, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wigeon was in 1508

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Cite this Entry

“Wigeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wigeon. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

wigeon

noun
wi·​geon
variants or widgeon
plural wigeon or wigeons or widgeon or widgeons
: any of several freshwater ducks with a large white patch on each wing

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