roe deer

noun

: either of two small European or Asian deer (Capreolus capreolus and C. pygarus) that have short erect antlers forked at the summit, are reddish-brown in summer and grayish in winter, have a white rump patch, and are noted for their nimbleness and grace

Illustration of roe deer

Illustration of roe deer

Examples of roe deer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The first holds nothing: a few blank-eyed roe deer, a blurred boar, cattle, dogs. Emily Soreghan, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024 This last one was tricky, as the roe deer, which rut in June and July, were dropping their antlers, so a lack of bone on the head wasn’t sufficient to tell the boys from the girls. John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 6 June 2024 The study suggests that the stick was used to hunt medium-sized game such as red or roe deer, or perhaps small, fast-moving animals such as hare and birds. Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 27 July 2023 The stick was most likely used to hunt medium sized game such as red and roe deer, and potentially quicker and smaller prey including birds and hare. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 July 2023 The Iceman traveled with (from left) a stone dagger, arrows, a roe deer leather quiver, fungus used for tinder (not that Tinder), birch fungus and birch bark. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 18 Aug. 2016 Small, red-brown roe deer have the ability to postpone pregnancies until spring. The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2023 His fabulous furry hat, for example, came from a brown bear, while his quiver leather was from a roe deer. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 18 Aug. 2016 The hotel is situated outside Grasmere village in grounds made up of gardens and forest home to a herd of roe deer, red squirrels and native plant species including foxgloves and wood sorrel. Lauren Jade Hill, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of roe deer was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near roe deer

Cite this Entry

“Roe deer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roe%20deer. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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