American wigeon

1 of 2

noun (1)

: a North American wigeon (Mareca americana) that has a short, black-tipped, pale blue bill and in the male a white crown and large white patch on each wing

called also baldpate

baldpate

2 of 2

noun (2)

bald·pate ˈbȯl(d)-ˌpāt

1

: baldhead

2

: american wigeon

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1788, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of American wigeon was in 1577

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“American wigeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American%20wigeon. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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