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• caribou
  caribou

  noun

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

  noun

  a mixed drink containing wine and grain alcohol

caribou

American  

[kar-uh-boo] / ˈkær əˌbu /

noun

plural

caribous,

plural

caribou

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

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Caribou ¹ British  

/ ˈkærɪˌbuː /

noun

1. a mixed drink containing wine and grain alcohol

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caribou ² British  

/ ˈkærɪˌbuː /

noun

1. Also called (Canadian): tuktu.  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

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Etymology

Origin of caribou

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

Compare meaning

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

• caribou vs. deer
• caribou vs. reindeer

Explanation

A caribou is a large animal with four legs, hooves, and big antlers. In Europe and Asia, a caribou is known as a reindeer. In North America, caribou live in parts of Canada and Alaska, in both tundra and boreal forests. Many caribou migrate long distances, and all of them are herbivores, living to a great degree on a specific type of lichen. The word caribou is originally French Canadian, from the Micmac word kaleboo, "the one who paws," for the way caribou scratch the snow aside to find moss in the winter.

Example Sentences

Hikers camping here will have several trails to choose from, including arduous but rewarding treks to Caribou Lakes, the Yellow Rose Mine or Ward Lake.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2025

“There was something sort of absurd about the name Caribou, it just made make me laugh,” said Buchheit, the 23rd employee hired at a company that now employs more than 180,000 people.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 31, 2024

Caribou, near its northern apex, lies 400 miles north of Boston, a drive of more than six hours.

From New York Times • Mar. 22, 2024

Pfizer purchased nearly 4.7 million Caribou shares at $5.33 per share, Caribou said on Thursday, representing a premium of about 30% over Caribou's previous close price.

From Reuters • Jul. 6, 2023

That day, being full famished, for we had passed the land of the Musk-Ox—though to be sure he had killed two Caribou for us—we ate his Dogs, and he was fleeing on foot.

From The Sa'-Zada Tales by Fraser, William Alexander