Illustration of hedgehog
- hedgehog 1a
1
a
: any of a subfamily (Erinaceinae) of Eurasian and African nocturnal insectivores that have both hair and spines which they present outwardly by rolling themselves up when threatened
b
: any of several spiny mammals (such as a porcupine)
2
a
: a military defensive obstacle (as of barbed wire)
b
: a well-fortified military stronghold
Did you know?
There are 14 species of hedgehogs. All prefer animal food, such as insects, but will eat plant material. There are nine species of spiny hedgehogs. They have short, barbless spines on the back, a round body, small head, pointed face, and little or no tail, and range from 4 in (10 cm) to 17 in (44 cm) long. Spiny hedgehogs are native to Britain, North Africa, and Asia; one species was introduced into New Zealand. There are five species of hairy hedgehog; all are Asian. They have coarse guard hairs, but no spines and are extremely malodorous. The common hairy hedgehog may be 18 in (46 cm) long and have a 12-in (30 cm) tail.
Examples of hedgehog in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The wealthy also delighted in creative food sculptures — gelatin molded into playing cards and cheese or cream decorated with slivered almonds to look like a hedgehog.
—
Ava Berger,
NPR,
28 June 2026
Just as hedgehogs deplore foxes for a lack of theoretical ambition, foxes spend their time screaming at hedgehogs for missing this or that eloquent detail.
—
Clare Bucknell,
The New York Review of Books,
27 June 2026
Guess which mowing league isn't mutilating hedgehogs?
—
Joe Kinsey Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Several unrelated species evolved strikingly similar receptor modifications independently — including mongooses (family Herpestidae), hedgehogs (subfamily Erinaceinae) and pigs (Sus domesticus).
—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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Ava Berger,
NPR,
28 June 2026
Just as hedgehogs deplore foxes for a lack of theoretical ambition, foxes spend their time screaming at hedgehogs for missing this or that eloquent detail.
—
Clare Bucknell,
The New York Review of Books,
27 June 2026
Guess which mowing league isn't mutilating hedgehogs?
—
Joe Kinsey Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Several unrelated species evolved strikingly similar receptor modifications independently — including mongooses (family Herpestidae), hedgehogs (subfamily Erinaceinae) and pigs (Sus domesticus).
—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hedgehog
Cite this Entry
“Hedgehog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hedgehog. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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