CARIBOU Definition & Meaning

caribou

[ kar-uh-boo ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural caribous, (especially collectively) caribou.

any of several large, North American deer of the genus Rangifer, related to the reindeer of the Old World.

caribou

/ ˈ��æ��ɪˌ��ː /

noun

a large deer, Rangifer tarandus, of Arctic regions of North America, having large branched antlers in the male and female: also occurs in Europe and Asia, where it is called a reindeer Also called (Canadian)tuktu

Caribou

/ ˈ��æ��ɪˌ��ː /

noun

a mixed drink containing wine and grain alcohol

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of caribou¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1665–75; from Canadian French caribou, replacing earlier English caribo, both from Mi'kmaq γ�� derivative (agent noun) of γ��辱- “shovel snow,” from unattested Proto-Algonquian ��첹·��辱-; called the snow-shoveler from its habit of scraping aside snow with its front hoofs in search of food

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of caribou¹

C18: from Canadian French, of Algonquian origin; compare Micmac khalibu literally: scratcher

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Compare Meanings

How does caribou compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Maybe a reality show following a caribou breeder in Alaska?

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The park is home to 53 species of mammals, including moose, bears, elks, mountain goats and caribou.

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Reindeer and caribou -- biologically the same species with different names based on geography -- live in the northern reaches of the globe in wild, feral, free-ranging and domestic forms.

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His collaborators in Alaska just sent him samples from 16 species, including bison, caribou, and mountain goats.

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As they conclude their study, researchers caution that what is good for the deer isn't necessarily suitable for other species, such as the threatened woodland caribou.

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