pocket mouse

noun

: any of various nocturnal burrowing rodents (family Heteromyidae) that resemble mice, live in arid parts of western North America, and have long hind legs and tail and fur-lined cheek pouches

Illustration of pocket mouse

Illustration of pocket mouse

Examples of pocket mouse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Before 1932, the Pacific pocket mouse was abundant in California, playing an important role for plant life by dispersing seeds and encouraging growth. Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 31 May 2024 Since 1932, the Pacific pocket mouse population took a massive plunge, eventually presumed to be extinct for 20 years. Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 31 May 2024 Pat, who is small even for a pocket mouse, is one of 165 mice in the program. San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2023 Pat, who weighs about the same as three pennies, was born on July 14, 2013, in the first year of the Pacific pocket mouse conservation breeding program at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2023 The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance announced Wednesday that a Pacific pocket mouse named Pat — born July 14, 2013, at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park under a conservation breeding program — received Guinness approval as the oldest living mouse in human care at the age of 9 years and 209 days. Camille Fine, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2023 Shier established the organization's Pacific pocket mouse conservation breeding program. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2023 Shier created and oversees the Pacific pocket mouse conservation breeding program. Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 8 Feb. 2023 Pat was born July 14, 2013, and was in the third litter born in the Pacific pocket mouse conservation program, which was established by Shier the previous year. San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pocket mouse was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near pocket mouse

Cite this Entry

“Pocket mouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pocket%20mouse. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on pocket mouse

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!