gopher

1 of 2

noun (1)

go·​pher ˈgō-fər 

1

: a burrowing land tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) of the southern U.S.

broadly : any of several related land tortoises

called also gopher tortoise

2

a

: 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 gopher

b

: any of several small ground squirrels (genus Spermophilus) of the prairie region of North America

3

: gopher ball

Illustration of gopher

• gopher 2a

gopher

2 of 2

noun (2)

go·​pher

less common spelling of gofer

informal

: an employee whose duties include running errands : lackey

Examples of gopher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Schroeder’s team is used to taking on rural pests, like gophers, not urban invaders like rats. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026

According to Deaton, gophers and voles are a particular concern on their 24-acre flower farm. — The Spruce, 13 Aug. 2026

The district leveled out the gopher holes to ensure a safer environment for students to play and resodded and reseeded the grass to freshen it up for the fall. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026

Crystal blue water at the public beaches, kayaking near manatees, and the nearby Myakka River State Park, which is home to cranes, alligators, gopher tortoises, the elusive Florida panther, and hundreds of other species. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gopher

• gopher ball
• gopher snake
• pocket gopher

Rhymes for gopher

• loafer

Kids Definition

gopher

noun

go·​pher

ˈgō-fər

1

: a burrowing land tortoise of the southern U.S.

2

a

: any of several burrowing American rodents with large cheek pouches

called also pocket gopher

b

: a small striped ground squirrel of the prairie region of the U.S.