vole

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈvōl 

: 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)

: grand slam sense 3

Examples of vole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The voles were bred in captivity and then placed into pens to head to the river banks, the video shows. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025

Gray foxes keep gopher, vole, ground squirrel, rat and mice populations in check. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025

This can prevent chipmunks and other rodents, such as voles, from getting to your bulbs. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025

The species hunts and eats small prey including mice, voles, squirrels, and rabbits, as well as birds, insects, and even porcupines. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2025

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

Phrases Containing vole

• meadow vole

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

ˈvōl 

: 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