black-footed ferret

noun

: a rare weasel (Mustela nigripes) of western North American prairies having a yellowish coat, dark feet and facial mask, and a dark-tipped tail

Illustration of black-footed ferret

Examples of black-footed ferret in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Turner’s land stewardship has also helped restore habitat for other rare and endangered species, from the cutthroat trout to the black-footed ferret. —Drew Kann, AJC.com, 7 May 2026

The park supports roaming bison, bighorn sheep and black-footed ferrets — a payoff for active travelers willing to log miles on foot. —Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 4 May 2026

Keep an eye out for roaming bison, bighorn sheep and black-footed ferrets along the way. —Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2026

Bison, bighorn sheep and the recovering black-footed ferret all roam here — the kind of cast that makes a quiet morning feel like a nature documentary unfolding in real time. —Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 4 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for black-footed ferret

• buret
• carat
• garret
• karat
• merit
• parrot
• demerit
• inherit
• preterit
• disinherit

Kids Definition

black-footed ferret

noun

black-foot·​ed ferret

ˈblak-ˌfu̇t-əd-

: an endangered weasel of western North American prairies having a yellowish coat, black feet and face markings, and a black-tipped tail