vole

1 of 2

noun (1)

: any of various small rodents (Microtus and related genera) that typically have a stout body, rather blunt nose, and short ears, inhabit both moist meadows and dry uplands and do much damage to crops, and are closely related to muskrats and lemmings

vole

2 of 2

noun (2)

Examples of vole 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.
Noun
The authors of the study suggest this change in diet is a response to a booming vole population. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024 The study authors posited one theory as to this previously unseen squirrel behavior: A boom in the local vole population — tracked by the crowdsourcing website iNaturalist — might have led the squirrels to take advantage of an available source of prey. Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024 This peak also coincided with a large number of vole sightings in the park reported to the citizen scientist website iNaturalist. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Dec. 2024 The most instances occurred during the first two weeks of July, when vole populations were also at their peak. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vole 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

earlier vole-mouse, from vole- (of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse vǫllr field) + mouse; akin to Old English weald forest — more at wold

Noun (2)

French, probably from voler to fly — more at volley entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1805, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1679, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vole was in 1679

Dictionary Entries Near vole

Cite this Entry

“Vole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vole. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

vole

noun
ˈvōl
: any of various small rodents that are closely related to the lemmings and muskrats but in general look like fat mice or rats and that are sometimes harmful to crops

Medical Definition

vole

noun
: any of various small rodents (family Cricetidae and especially genus Microtus) that typically have a stout body, rather blunt nose, and short ears, that inhabit both moist meadows and dry uplands and do much damage to crops, and that are closely related to muskrats and lemmings but in general resemble stocky mice or rats

More from Merriam-Webster on vole

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