burrow

1 of 2

noun

bur·​row ˈbər-(ˌ)ō 

ˈbə-(ˌ)rō

: a hole or excavation in the ground made by an animal (such as a rabbit) for shelter and habitation

burrow

2 of 2

verb

burrowed; burrowing; burrows

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make a burrow

A fox had burrowed into the side of the hill.

b

: to progress by or as if by digging

burrowing through a pile of paperwork

2

: to make a motion suggestive of burrowing : snuggle, nestle

burrowed against his back for warmth

3

: to conceal oneself in or as if in a burrow

transitive verb

1

a

: to penetrate by means of a burrow

The tunnel burrows its way under the mountain.

b

: to construct by tunneling

burrowed a dwelling

2

: to make a motion suggestive of burrowing with : nestle

burrows her hand into mine

3

archaic : to hide in or as if in a hole in the ground made by an animal for shelter and habitation : to hide in or as if in a burrow

was burrowed in his cave

burrower noun

Synonyms of burrow

Noun

• nest
• lair
• house
• den

Examples of burrow in a Sentence

Noun

the chipmunk retreated to its burrow to have its babies

Verb

The rabbit burrowed into the side of the hill.

The frogs burrow under the mud.

The mole burrowed its way under the ground.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

People, wildlife and domestic animals get valley fever when the soil in these burrows is disturbed, by a dog digging, a kick of the boot, a shovel, construction equipment, wind or wildfire. — Susanne Rust follow, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

This is usually when the males leave their burrows and search for its female counterpart. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026

Verb

Before releasing the ferrets, scientists dust prairie dog burrows with insecticide and scatter food pellets laced with fipronil, the same chemical used in flea control among pets. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Asbestos has tiny needle-like fibers that burrow deep into tissue, creating chronic inflammation that spurs the development of cancers of the lungs, voice box and ovaries. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English borow

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

Rhymes for burrow

• boro
• burro
• burrough
• furrow
• thorough
• yarborough

Kids Definition

burrow

1 of 2 noun

bur·​row ˈbər-ō 

ˈbə-rō

: a hole in the ground made by an animal (as a rabbit or fox) for shelter or protection

burrow

2 of 2 verb

1

: to construct by tunneling

2

: to hide oneself in or as if in a burrow

3

: to move or enter by or as if by digging

burrower noun

Medical Definition

burrow

noun

bur·​row ˈbər-(ˌ)ō, ˈbə-(ˌ)rō 

: a passage or gallery formed in or under the skin by the wandering of a parasite (as the mite of scabies or a foreign hookworm)

burrow verb