ground squirrel

noun

: any of various burrowing North American and Eurasian rodents (especially genus Spermophilus) of the squirrel family that often live in colonies especially in open areas (such as grasslands)

called also spermophile

Examples of ground squirrel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Instead of simply stuffing their cheeks with fruits, nuts or seeds, the California ground squirrels there are now known to hunt, kill, decapitate and consume voles, a fellow rodent species, according to research published Wednesday in the Journal of Ethology. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024 But these California ground squirrels appear to have developed a taste for mammal meat. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Dec. 2024 According to a new paper published in the Journal of Ethology, California ground squirrels have been caught in the act—many times over—of chasing, killing, and eating voles. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 18 Dec. 2024 The owls nest in burrows excavated by California ground squirrels, occasionally popping up to stare with striking yellow eyes. Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ground squirrel 

Word History

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ground squirrel was in 1688

Dictionary Entries Near ground squirrel

Cite this Entry

“Ground squirrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground%20squirrel. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

ground squirrel

noun
: any of numerous burrowing rodents (as gophers and chipmunks) that differ from true squirrels in having cheek pouches and shorter fur

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