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

Example Sentences

That is the instant when predator and prey—a wolf and, perhaps, a caribou—“appear to lock eyes and make a decision.”

From The Wall Street Journal

She is now in the process of mapping out the route her family has taken for generations while migrating south in spring, towards the caribou hunting grounds.

From BBC

Maybe a reality show following a caribou breeder in Alaska?

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

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.

From Science Daily