muskrat

noun

musk·​rat ˈməsk-ˌrat 

plural muskrat or muskrats

: an aquatic rodent (Ondatra zibethicus) of the U.S. and Canada with a long scaly laterally compressed tail, webbed hind feet, and dark glossy brown fur

also : its fur or pelt

Illustration of muskrat

Examples of muskrat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The eagle looked right at us before resuming its aerial assessment, hooked yellow beak ready to snag a muskrat or bluegill from the ponds below. —Jamie Siebrase, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2025

Imagine a pale roly-poly the size of a muskrat wandering the seafloor. —Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

Their diet includes muskrats, a primary predator of freshwater mussels, which are now confirmed to carry radium. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

The muskrats are depended on by bald eagles, and muskrats are probably the biggest consumer of the freshwater mussels. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably by folk etymology from a word of Algonquian origin; akin to Massachusett musquash muskrat

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

muskrat

noun

musk·​rat ˈməs-ˌkrat 

plural muskrat or muskrats

: a North American rodent that lives in or near the water, has a long scaly tail and webbed hind feet, and glossy usually dark brown fur

also : its fur or pelt