CARIBOU Definition & Meaning

caribou

[ kar-uh-boo ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural caribous, (especially collectively) caribou.

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

caribou

/ ˈ��æ��ɪˌ��ː /

noun

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 Also called (Canadian)tuktu

Caribou

/ ˈ��æ��ɪˌ��ː /

noun

a mixed drink containing wine and grain alcohol

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of caribou¹

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

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of caribou¹

C18: from Canadian French, of Algonquian origin; compare Micmac khalibu literally: scratcher

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Compare Meanings

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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

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.

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Maybe a reality show following a caribou breeder in Alaska?

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

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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.

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His collaborators in Alaska just sent him samples from 16 species, including bison, caribou, and mountain goats.

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