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 of beaver

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

Some people aren't feeling the beaver after Buc-ee’s rolled out a new policy asking customers to pay at the pump. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 26 Mar. 2026

The mammals are led by a chipper naïf of a beaver named George (Bobby Moynihan), who insists that everyone can still live in harmony even as their territory shrinks. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026

Supporters say not only do the dams built by beavers help regulate the state's water supply, but the wetlands created by them also act as natural firebreaks, provide refuge for other wildlife during fires, and reduce downstream pollution after fires. —Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

The new research, published March 18 in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, has for the first time calculated the carbon dioxide emitted and sequestered due to engineering work done by beavers in suitable wetland areas. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026

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