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

For example some wigeon or divers mixed along the side of a mallard spread can help the rig be more visible and realistic. —Joe Arterburn, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024

But the new exhibition features a print of an etching of Darling’s design, which starred mallards. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024

That could be why Migration doesn’t really feel like anything else Illumination has ever done, avoiding the common waves of pop-culture references to just lovingly tell the story of a group of mallards on a journey from New England to Jamaica. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 5 July 2024

The cartoon tale about a family of mallards sustained momentum and flew to $127 million in North America — more than 10 times its debut — and nearly $300 million worldwide. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024

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