moose

noun

ˈmüs How to pronounce moose (audio)
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.
My late-September trip also coincided with moose rutting season, which peaks around this time. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026 Elk and deer are spotted around the lodge, while moose, bears, wolves, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep are out in the surrounding area. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026 Earn moose bucks on an educational scavenger hunt or medallion hunt, then spend your bucks on treats at participating local businesses. — Katy Spratte Joyce, Midwest Living, 22 Aug. 2026 The new crest, worn by Shapovalov, who grew up in Toronto, features a bold moose with six antlers representing Toronto’s six districts. — Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 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

Rhymes for moose

See All Rhymes for moose

Browse Nearby Words

moory
moose
Moose
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Moose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moose. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

moose

noun
ˈmüs How to pronounce moose (audio)
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

Moose

geographical name

ˈmüs How to pronounce Moose (audio)
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.

More from Merriam-Webster on moose

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about moose

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All