chipmunk

noun

chip·​munk ˈchip-ˌməŋk 

: any of a genus (Tamias) of small striped North American and Asian rodents of the squirrel family

Examples of chipmunk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The chipmunks teamed with an Australian mouse named Monterey Jack, his dragonfly pal Zipper, and the team’s mechanic, Gadget Hackwrench, to battle such villainous characters as Fat Cat and Professor Norton Nimnul. —Will Harris, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Many people only think of insects as pollinators, but pollen also can be spread by a furry chipmunk or even a human who brushes by a low-growing flower and picks up pollen on her shoe. —Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2025

Cause and History of Plague Plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a bacterium that primarily affects wild rodents — such as prairie dogs, squirrels and chipmunks — and their fleas. —Matthew Binnicker, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Plague bacteria are most commonly spread by fleas that have fed on infected squirrels, chipmunks or other wild rodents. —Greg Wehner , Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier chitmunk, probably from Ojibwa ačitamo·nʔ red squirrel

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

chipmunk

noun

chip·​munk ˈchip-ˌməŋk 

: any of numerous small striped animals of North America and Asia related to the squirrels