Definition of golden hamster
: a small tawny hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) native chiefly to Syria and often kept as a pet or used as a laboratory animal
— called also Syrian hamster
Illustration of golden hamster
Learn More About golden hamster
Statistics for golden hamster
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Golden hamster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/golden%20hamster. Accessed 6 Jul. 2022.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Test Your Vocabulary
Which Word Does Not Belong?
-
- Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Brand Name Vocabulary Quiz
You’re gonna need some moxie to ace this quiz
Take the quiz
-
Commonly Confused Words Quiz
Take a (break/brake) and (pore/pour) over this (c...
Take the quiz
-
Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share golden hamster
Time Traveler for golden hamster
The first known use of golden hamster was in 1839
See more words from the same year