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Definition of canada goose

canada goose

Plural:Canada geese
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canada goose Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A large species of wild waterfowl native to North America, easily identified by its black head and neck, striking white cheek patches, and brown body.

Example

"A massive flock of Canada geese landed on the pond to rest during their autumn migration."

Word Nuance & Usage

Frequently mistakenly called the 'Canadian goose', but the formally accepted ornithological common name is 'Canada goose', regardless of the bird's actual geographic location.

Word Origin & Etymology

Named by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 based on its extensive breeding grounds in northern North America, combining the geographic name 'Canada' with the Old English 'gōs' (goose).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Canada goose. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/canada goose
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