nene

noun

ne·​ne ˈnā-(ˌ)nā How to pronounce nene (audio)
: an endangered goose (Branta sandvicensis synonym Nesochen sandvicensis) of the Hawaiian Islands that usually inhabits waterless uplands and feeds on berries and vegetation

Illustration of nene

Illustration of nene

Examples of nene in a Sentence

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Yeung recalled learning about the nene in grade school. — Maddie Bender, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025 Captive breeding and reintroduction efforts succeeded, and nearly 4,000 nene live in Hawaii today. — Maddie Bender, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Hawaiian nēnē

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nene was in 1902

Rhymes for nene

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“Nene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nene. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nene

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