chinchilla

noun chin·chil·la \ chin-ˈchi-lə \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of chinchilla

1 : either of two small South American rodents (Chinchilla laniger and C. brevicaudata of the family Chinchillidae) of the high Andes that are the size of large squirrels, have very soft pearly-gray fur, and are extensively bred in captivity; also : the fur of a chinchilla

2 : a heavy twilled woolen coating

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Examples of chinchilla in a Sentence

The collar of the coat is chinchilla.

Recent Examples of chinchilla from the Web

His showroom features chinchilla, sable, fox, and Blackglama mink.

— janie har, USA TODAY, "San Francisco becomes largest U.S. city to ban fur sales," 21 Mar. 2018
Families, volunteers and staff also had a chance to pet bunnies, a chinchilla and parrot from Erin's Farm, a non-profit and animal sanctuary in Hobart, Ind. There also were meals at the event.

— janice neumann, Daily Southtown, "Children, parents enjoy Easter egg hunt at Children's Museum in Oak Lawn," 31 Mar. 2018
His showroom features chinchilla, sable, fox, and Blackglama mink.

— janie har, USA TODAY, "San Francisco becomes largest U.S. city to ban fur sales," 21 Mar. 2018
Campers also have the chance to pet animals like a chinchilla, small alligator or bald python.

— allison bagley, Houston Chronicle, "A night at the zoo is a wild experience," 21 Mar. 2018
His showroom features chinchilla, sable, fox, and Blackglama mink.

— Washington Post, "Fur is dead: Animal welfare groups cheer San Francisco ban," 20 Mar. 2018
Along with the Burmese Python, Andersen brought an armadillo, a chinchilla, a leopard tortoise and an Australian blue-tongued skink.

— lisa dejong, cleveland.com, "Outback Ray's Amazing Animal Show (photos)," 5 Mar. 2018
Of those who follow celebrity pets, 80 percent follow Grumpy Cat, 22 percent follow Boo (dog), 16 percent follow Lil Bub (cat), and 15 percent follow Biddy the Hedgehog, Marnie the Dog and Mr. Bagel (chinchilla).

— cathy m. rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, "A whole lotta love for pets on Valentine’s Day," 9 Feb. 2018
Inside, three fish, two lizards, two rabbits, four cats, a chinchilla and a large dog shared a small living room.

— christopher f. schuetze, New York Times, "When Animals Are at Risk, Special Netherlands Police Force Defends Them," 29 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chinchilla.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.