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

Animals like the black-footed ferret, American bison and Hawaiian monk seal are only found in the United States. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025

But others, like the black-footed ferret, Houston toad and the red wolf, for example, remain endangered—even after almost 60 years of federal attention. —Christine Peterson, Wired News, 5 July 2025

But others, like the black-footed ferret, Houston toad and the red wolf, for example, remain endangered — even after almost 60 years of federal attention. —Christine Peterson, Vox, 27 June 2025

While target species span from the Cuban crocodile to polar bear, the zoo is perhaps best known for its ultra-successful black-footed ferret breeding program, with more than 1,000 kits bred at the Louisville Zoo Conservation Center since its launch in 1991. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

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