mallard

noun

mal·​lard ˈma-lərd 

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

Examples of mallard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, according to the articles, the duck paddled around with the common mallards, circling idly for crumbs of bread. —Anelise Chen, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025

How Gertie the duck became a star On April 25, 1945, a bridge tender discovered that a mallard had laid an egg in a nest on one of the pilings near the Wisconsin Avenue Bridge over the Milwaukee River. —Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2024

Rescue Efforts Efforts to rescue the birds, predominantly Canada geese and mallards, are being spearheaded by the New England Wildlife Center. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

And gunning mallards in a howling snowstorm is an all-time iconic duck hunting experience. —Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French mallart

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mallard

noun

mal·​lard ˈmal-ərd 

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