Definition of gopher
1 : a burrowing land tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) of the southern U.S.; broadly : any of several related land tortoises —called also gopher tortoise
2a : any of a family (Geomyidae) of burrowing rodents of western North America, Central America, and the southern U.S. that are the size of a large rat and have large cheek pouches opening beside the mouth —called also pocket gopherb : any of several small ground squirrels (genus Spermophilus) of the prairie region of North America
3 : gopher ball
From the M-W Editors
Illustration of gopher
Origin and Etymology of gopher
origin unknown
First Known Use: 1791
GOPHER Defined for Kids
gopher
playDefinition of gopher for Students
1 : a burrowing animal that is about the size of a large rat and has a large fur-lined pouch on the outside of each cheek
2 : a striped ground squirrel of North American prairies
3 : a burrowing land tortoise of the southern United States
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See words that rhyme with gopher Spanish Central: Translation of gopher Nglish: Translation of gopher for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gopher
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