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

Olsen told AFP of the tears of pride she shed when her grandson killed his first caribou at age 11, preferring to talk about her family than about Trump.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

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 • Apr. 9, 2025

Maybe a reality show following a caribou breeder in Alaska?

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2024

Understanding white-tailed deer populations continues to be one piece of the caribou recovery puzzle.

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2024

The fog closed in briefly, and when it thinned the caribou was poised above Amaroq, his cleaver-like hoofs aimed at his head.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George