mallard

noun

mal·​lard ˈma-lərd How to pronounce mallard (audio)
plural mallard or mallards
: a common and widely distributed wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos) of the northern hemisphere the males of which have a green head and white-ringed neck and which is the source of the domestic ducks

Illustration of mallard

Illustration of mallard

Examples of mallard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The duck appears to be a male mallard duck, based on its green head and distinctive ring around its neck, per All About Birds. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 14 May 2025 Most of the collisions were birds, including bald eagles, owls larks and mallards, but some of the strikes included prairie dogs, bats, coyotes and rabbits. Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025 Within days, the mallard — eventually dubbed Gertie by a writer at The Journal — was attracting thousands of people to the bridge in hope of seeing the duck's eggs hatch. Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2024 According to the Nevada Department of Wildlife, mallards can fly 55 miles per hour while migrating, or faster when flying in the direction of the wind. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for mallard

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French mallart

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mallard was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mallard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mallard. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

mallard

noun
mal·​lard ˈmal-ərd How to pronounce mallard (audio)
plural mallard or mallards
: a common and widely distributed wild duck of the northern hemisphere the males of which have a green head and white ring around the neck and that is the source of the domestic ducks

More from Merriam-Webster on mallard

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