brant

B3R1A1N1T1
/bɹænt/

noun

Any of several wild geese, of the genus Branta, that breed in the Arctic, but especially the brent goose, Branta bernicla.

Less commonScrabble 7

Meanings

brant1

nounbrant (plural brants or brant)

plural brants

  1. CanadaUSAny of several wild geese, of the genus Branta, that breed in the Arctic, but especially the brent goose, Branta bernicla.

    I have given you roe and reindeer, / I have given you brant and beaver, / Filled the marshes full of wild-fowl, / Filled the rivers full of fishes; / Why then are you not contented? / Why then will you hunt each other?

    1855, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Book I”, in The Song of Hiawatha

brant2

adjectivebrant (comparative more brant, superlative most brant)

comparative more brant · superlative most brant · alternative brent

  1. dialectalsteep, precipitous.

    Grapes grow on the brant rocks so wonderfully that ye will marvel how any man dare climb up to them.

    1551, Roger Ascham, letter to Mr. Edward Raven
  2. Scotlandsmooth; unwrinkled

    Your bonnie brow was brent.

    1828, Robert Burns, John Anderson

Brant3

proper noun
  1. A place in the United States:
  2. A river, the River Brant in Lincolnshire, England, a tributary of the River Witham.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounsmall dark geese that breed in the north and migrate southward

Broader

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

brant · noun

  1. Proto-Germanic*brandaz“burning”
  2. Old Norsebrandgás“sheldrake”
  3. Medieval LatinBranta
  4. Englishbrant

From New Latin/Medieval Latin Branta, latinized form of Old Norse brandgás (“sheldrake”), literally "burnt (black) goose," from Proto-Germanic *brandaz (“burning”) + *gans (“goose”).

Full word history & related roots →

brant · adjective

  1. Proto-Germanic*brantaz“steep, towering”
  2. Proto-West Germanic*brant
  3. Old Englishbrant“high, steep”
  4. Middle Englishbrant
  5. Englishbrant

From Middle English brant, from Old English brant (“high, steep”), from Proto-West Germanic *brant, from Proto-Germanic *brantaz (“steep, towering”). Cognate with Scots brent, Old Norse brantr, brattr (Faroese and Icelandic brattur, Danish brat, Norwegian Bokmål bratt, Swedish brant).

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Brant · proper noun

English, German, Jewish and Dutch surname, variant of Brand. The family name Brant is of German origin and is derived from the Old High German word "brant," meaning "fire" or "flame." It is believed to have originally been a nickname for someone with a fiery or passionate personality. The family name Brant has several variations that have emerged over time. One common variation is Brandt, which is a popular spelling in Germany and other European countries. Another variation is Bronte, which has Italian origins and is associated with the famous Bronte sisters. Brantley is another variation that has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in the United States. This variation adds a suffix to the original name, giving it a more modern and unique sound. Brantson is yet another variation that has emerged, often used as a surname or a given name. It adds a suffix to the original name, similar to Brantley. These variations of the family name Brant showcase the diverse ways in which names can evolve and adapt over time. The municipality in Ontario is named after Mohawk political leader Joseph Brant (1743 - 1807).

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Translations

Bulgarian черна гъска
  • черна гъска (černa găska)wild geese of the genus Branta
Czech berneška
  • berneškawild geese of the genus Branta
Dutch zwarte gans, zeegans
  • zwarte ganswild geese of the genus Branta
  • zeeganswild geese of the genus Branta
Finnish kirjohanhi
  • kirjohanhiwild geese of the genus Branta
French bernarche
  • bernarchewild geese of the genus Branta
German Meergans
  • Meerganswild geese of the genus Branta
Icelandic margæs
  • margæswild geese of the genus Branta
Polish bernikla
  • berniklawild geese of the genus Branta
Portuguese barnacle, bernaca
  • barnaclewild geese of the genus Branta
  • bernacawild geese of the genus Branta
Russian каза́рка
  • каза́рка (kazárka)wild geese of the genus Branta
Spanish barnacla
  • barnaclawild geese of the genus Branta
Swedish brantagås
  • brantagåswild geese of the genus Branta
Ukrainian каза́рка
  • каза́рка (kazárka)wild geese of the genus Branta

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with brant

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Cite this entry
APA

brant. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brant

MLA

“brant.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brant. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “brant,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brant.

Source: brant on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.