# nene

/ˈnin/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nene
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a type of small, colorful bird that lives in Hawaii. It is also the name of a famous bird that was once thought to be extinct but was later found again.

For teachers: a species of Hawaiian goose, Branta sandvicensis, native to the Hawaiian Islands. Often used to refer to the specific subspecies of the nene that was once thought to be extinct.

## Examples

- The nene is a protected bird in Hawaii.
- Conservationists worked hard to protect the nene from predators and habitat loss on the islands.
- The rediscovery of the nene in the early twentieth century marked a significant milestone in the history of wildlife conservation in the Pacific.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.