Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Mustela

noun
Mus·te·la | \ ˌməˈstēlə \

Definition of Mustela 

: a genus of carnivorous mammals (the type of the family Mustelidae) comprising active predators and valuable furbearers

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Mustela

New Latin, from Latin, weasel, probably from mus mouse + -tela (origin unknown)

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Mustela

Dictionary Entries near Mustela

mustard yellow

mustee

musteefino

Mustela

mustelid

Mustelidae

musteline

Statistics for Mustela

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Mustela

What made you want to look up Mustela? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

milieu

the setting in which something occurs

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Musical Words Quiz

  • gramophone
  • Which word describes a musical performance marked by the absence of instrumental accompaniment?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games