reindeer

American  

[reyn-deer] / ˈreɪnˌdɪər /

noun

plural

reindeer,

plural

reindeers

1. any of several large deer of the genus Rangifer, of northern and Arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, both male and female of which have antlers.

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reindeer British  

/ ˈreɪnˌdɪə /

noun

1. a large deer, Rangifer tarandus , having large branched antlers in the male and female and inhabiting the arctic regions of Greenland, Europe, and Asia. It also occurs in North America, where it is known as a caribou

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Etymology

Origin of reindeer

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English raynder(e), from Old Norse hreindȳri, equivalent to hreinn “reindeer” + dȳr “animal” (cognate with deer )

Compare meaning

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

• reindeer vs. deer
• caribou vs. reindeer

Example Sentences

It smelt of reindeer and red deer and beaver, and fresh blood -and something else: a new smell that he hadn’t yet learnt.

From Literature

The meal begins with scallop brightened with currant and rye-seasoned buttermilk, then slow-cooked reindeer, sirloin and tongue, finished over wood, mushroom purée beneath and fermented cabbage cutting richness.

From Salon

Samoyeds are dogs raised in Asia to round up reindeer.

From Literature

Braathen named the reindeer he received for victory in the Finnish resort after the "very special person in my life", his father Bjorn.

From Barron's

They think that Svalbard bears have adapted to recent ice loss by eating more land-based prey, including reindeer and walruses.

From BBC