beaver

1 of 3

noun (1)

bea·​ver ˈbē-vər How to pronounce beaver (audio)
plural beavers
1
or plural beaver
a
: either of two large semiaquatic herbivorous rodents comprising a family (Castoridae including Castor canadensis of North America and C. fiber of Eurasia), having webbed hind feet and a broad flat scaly tail, and constructing dams and partially submerged lodges
b
: the fur or pelt of the beaver
2
a
: a hat made of beaver fur or a fabric imitation
b
3
: a heavy fabric of felted wool or of cotton napped on both sides
4
vulgar : the genitals of a female especially when covered with pubic hair

beaver

2 of 3

noun (2)

1
: a piece of armor protecting the lower part of the face
2
: a helmet visor

Illustration of beaver

Illustration of beaver
  • B beaver 1

beaver

3 of 3

verb

beavered; beavering; beavers

intransitive verb

: to work energetically
beavering away at the problem

Examples of beaver in a Sentence

Verb he's been beavering away at the various courses for his dinner party all day long, hoping to impress his new friends
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 Beaver Moon takes its name from early Native American tribes as well as American colonists, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, when beavers begin sheltering in their lodges after gathering enough food to last the winter. Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Oct. 2025 Just like wolves, bison, pronghorns, prairie dogs, beavers, and monarch butterflies, these bears are on the list of epic species inhabiting North America — which means that any immigration- and tariff-related threats and decisions made by the region’s countries invariably affect them as well. Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025 Likewise, even in 1825, few beavers were left in the area, which explains why the artists’ many paintings of ponds and streams did not show the animals or any signs of their presence. Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2025 Hummingbirds have long beaks for sucking nectar from flowers, polar bears have thick skin and fur to keep them warm from the Arctic tundra and beavers have big, wide tails to propel them through the water. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beaver

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English bever, from Old English beofor; akin to Old High German bibar beaver, and probably to Old English brūn brown — more at brown

Noun (2)

Middle English baviere, from Middle French

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of beaver was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Beaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beaver. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

beaver

1 of 2 noun
bea·​ver ˈbē-vər How to pronounce beaver (audio)
plural beaver or beavers
1
: a large plant-eating rodent that has webbed hind feet and a broad flat tail and that builds dams and houses of mud and branches which are partly underwater
2
: the fur of a beaver

beaver

2 of 2 noun
: a piece of armor protecting the lower part of the face

Geographical Definition

Beaver

geographical name

Bea·​ver ˈbē-vər How to pronounce Beaver (audio)
1
river 280 miles (451 kilometers) long in northwestern Oklahoma forming the upper course of the North Canadian River
2
river 305 miles (491 kilometers) long Canada in Alberta and Saskatchewan flowing east into the Churchill River

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