beaver

1 of 3

noun (1)

bea·​ver ˈbē-vər 

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

: silk hat

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

• B beaver 1

beaver

3 of 3

verb

beavered; beavering; beavers

intransitive verb

: to work energetically

beavering away at the problem

Synonyms

Verb

• labor
• struggle
• strive
• work
• dig (away)

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

Noun

The sequel rounds out its cast with returning stars Idris Elba as Chief Bogo and Shakira as pop star Gazelle, as well as franchise newcomers Quan, Brunson, and Fortune Feimster as Nibbles the beaver. —Emlyn Travis Updated, EW.com, 30 July 2025

The newfound kits are the offspring of these beavers. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 25 July 2025

In addition to the driftwood, ancient beaver tracks have been found in areas that would be inaccessible to the water-dwelling animals today, further supporting the idea that a paleolake once existed in the area. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 18 July 2025

Buc-ee’s brought a lawsuit against B&B Grocery, which ran a convenience store and Shell gas station named Frio River Grocery in Garner for using a beaver in its logo. 2013: Buc-ee's initiated a lawsuit against Chicks, a convenience store in Bryan, which features a logo with two chicks. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

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

Phrases Containing beaver

• beaver away
• beaver dam
• eager beaver

Rhymes for beaver

• cleaver
• fever
• leaver
• weaver
• achiever
• believer
• deceiver
• perceiver
• receiver
• reliever
• retriever
• transceiver

Kids Definition

beaver

1 of 2 noun

bea·​ver ˈbē-vər 

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 

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