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Definition of canvasback

canvasback

/ˈkæn.vəsˌbæk/
can · vas · back
Plural:canvasbacks
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canvasback Lexical Profile

canvasback Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A large species of diving duck (Aythya valisineria) native to North America, characterized in the male by a distinctive sloping profile, a reddish-chestnut head, and a pale grayish-white back that resembles canvas.

Example

"The wildlife photographer waited in the cold marsh blind for hours just to capture a shot of a male canvasback diving for wild celery."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for canvasback

• Nearby Words

cantil
cantoria
canvas
canvasback
cap
capacitor
cape

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 18th century, named for the grayish-white, finely patterned feathers on the male duck's back, which closely resemble the color and weave of unbleached canvas fabric.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Canvasback. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/canvasback
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