canvasback

American  

[kan-vuhs-bak] / ˈkæn vəsˌbæk /

noun

plural

canvasbacks,

plural

canvasback

1. a North American wild duck, Aythya valisineria, the male of which has a whitish back and a reddish-brown head and neck.

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canvasback British  

/ ˈkænvəsˌbæk /

noun

1. a North American diving duck, Aythyra valisineria, the male of which has a white body and reddish-brown head

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Etymology

Origin of canvasback

An Americanism dating back to 1595–1605; after the canvaslike color of its back

Compare meaning

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

• canvasback vs. redhead

Example Sentences

On the banks of Yosemite Creek, brown-headed canvasback ducks plunged and preened.

From Washington Post • Jul. 1, 2021

At 6:23 a.m., a flight of canvasback ducks wheeled confidently in.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mallards, pintails and wigeon make up the bulk of the puddlers, while available divers include bluebills, redheads, buffleheads and an occasional canvasback.

From Time Magazine Archive

He was a master of the graduated political gift; Presidents occasionally might receive a case of Madeira, while Cabinet members would rate only terrapin, and Congressmen wound up with canvasback duck.

From Time Magazine Archive

Essentially it costs me as much to lunch off a boiled egg, served in my dining room at home, as to carve the breast off a canvasback.

From The "Goldfish" by Train, Arthur Cheney