guinea pig

noun

1

: a small stout-bodied short-eared tailless domesticated rodent (Cavia porcellus) of South American origin often kept as a pet and widely used in biological research

called also cavy

2

: a subject of research, experimentation, or testing

Examples of guinea pig in a Sentence

He volunteered to act as a guinea pig in the experiment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Janine and Gregory's costumes pay homage to Jurassic Park while Lisa Ann Walter's Melissa is dressed up like a guinea pig. —Esther Kang, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024

States are the laboratory of democracy, and Florida has the right to not be a corporate guinea pig. —Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2024

Their yellow Labrador and four guinea pigs all died within months of each other. —Genna Contino, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2024

Melissa concedes, agreeing to take in the guinea pig as long as Janine takes responsibility for caring for the animal. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

guinea pig

noun

1

: a small stocky rodent with short ears and a very short tail that is often kept as a pet and is used in biological research

2

: a person or thing experimented on

Medical Definition

guinea pig

noun

guin·​ea pig ˈgin-ē-ˌ 

: a small stout-bodied short-eared nearly tailless domesticated rodent of the genus Cavia (C. cobaya) often kept as a pet and widely used in biological research

called also cavy