ground squirrel

noun

: any of various burrowing North American and Eurasian rodents (especially genus Spermophilus) of the squirrel family that often live in colonies especially in open areas (such as grasslands)

called also spermophile

Examples of ground squirrel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet, somehow, every winter, the Arctic ground squirrel (Urocitellus parryii) deliberately lets its brain temperature fall below 0°C. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

While the wolverine is the only native Idaho mammal on display, Peacock said Zoo Boise also has Idaho ground squirrels that are not on exhibit. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026

If it gets pushed out during the day, the hole is probably inhabited by a ground squirrel, such as a chipmunk. —Steven Sullivan, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025

However, while ground squirrels are hibernating, their vasopressin levels jump, but the animal still doesn’t drink. —Dan Samorodnitsky, Wired News, 28 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ground squirrel

• deferral
• referral
• epidural
• postdoctoral
• predoctoral
• neral
• sural

Kids Definition

ground squirrel

noun

: any of numerous burrowing rodents (as gophers and chipmunks) that differ from true squirrels in having cheek pouches and shorter fur