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

Not a forest by any means, but a small woods where there are squirrels and chipmunks, probably snakes and skunks, rabbits and, now and then, passing through on some mysterious transient route, a deer or a family of deer. — Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026

Try these five methods to stop chipmunks from digging in your containers. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 July 2026

Some samples were even sped up to make soul shouters sound like chipmunks. — Al Shipley, SPIN, 14 July 2026

The less food that's available at ground level, the fewer reasons chipmunks have to wander into your garden beds. — Nashia Baker, Martha Stewart, 25 June 2026

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