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

Groundhogs are rodents that belong to the marmot or ground squirrel family. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026

The hundreds of ground squirrels, which typically spend their time combing the grass for crumbs and approaching visitors in search of a treat, are native to the area. — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 9 June 2026

And other animals, such as ground squirrels, enter an extended form of torpor known as true hibernation. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 22 Mar. 2026

Around a bend, yellow wildflowers pop out of the underbrush, where curious deer and rustling ground squirrels (squinnies to this Iowan) startle. — Diane Penningroth, Midwest Living, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ground squirrel

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

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