mongoose

noun

mon·​goose ˈmän-ˌgüs  ˈmäŋ- 

plural mongooses also mongeese ˈmän-ˌgēs 

ˈmäŋ-

: any of numerous long slender carnivorous mammals (family Herpestidae) chiefly of Africa and southern Europe and Asia that are usually ferret-sized agile mammals typically with nonretractile sharp claws, short legs, long tail, and usually brownish or grayish fur sometimes with bands or stripes

Note: Mongooses feed chiefly on small animals (such as insects, earthworms, birds, snakes, and rodents) and are sometimes grouped with the viverrids in two subfamilies (Herpestinae and Galidiinae).

Illustration of mongoose

Examples of mongoose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sometimes referred to as the Gaboon adder, this snake preys on a variety of small to medium-sized animals, including rodents like rats, birds such as francolins, and small mammals like rabbits and mongooses. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024

The rabbits’ range has shrunk over the years, and the rabbits have also been preyed upon by invasive mongooses that had been introduced to curb viper populations in the area. —Kate Golembiewski, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024

Kwak and his colleagues even found that the rabbits rebounded after the removal of the invasive mongooses, which means that the ticks will likely recover, too. —Kate Golembiewski, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024

And Khan recalls mongooses named after the Golden Girls. —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 9 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Hindi & Marathi mãgūs, from Prakrit maṁgūsa

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mongoose

noun

mon·​goose ˈmän-ˌgüs  ˈmäŋ- 

plural mongooses

: any of various quick-moving mammals with a long slender body and long tail that are about the size of a ferret and feed chiefly on small animals and fruit