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Definition of reindeer

reindeer

/ˈreɪn.dɪər/
rein · deer
Plural:reindeer
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reindeer Lexical Profile

reindeer Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large species of deer (Rangifer tarandus) characterized by heavily branched antlers in both sexes, native to Arctic, Subarctic, tundra, and mountainous regions of Eurasia and North America.

Example

"The indigenous Sámi people of northern Scandinavia have relied on herding reindeer for their livelihood for centuries."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for reindeer

Word Nuance & Usage

In North American usage, 'reindeer' typically refers to domesticated or Eurasian populations, whereas 'caribou' is used to describe wild populations native to North America, though both belong to the exact same species.

• Nearby Words

rehmannia
reichenbach
reims
reindeer
reineckea
reinwardtia
relations

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old Norse 'hreindýr', a compound of 'hreinn' (reindeer) and 'dýr' (animal, deer).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Reindeer. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 22, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/reindeer
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