ca·nard [kuh-nahrd; Fr. ka-nar] Show IPA noun, plural ca·nards [-nahrdz; Fr. -nar] Show IPA. 1.a false or baseless, usually derogatory story, report, or rumor. 2.Cookery . a duck intended or used for food. 3.Aeronautics . a. an airplane that has its horizontal stabilizer and elevators located forward of the wing. b. Also called canard wing . one of two small lifting wings located in front of the main wings. c.an early airplane having a pusher engine with the rudder and elevator assembly in front of the wings.