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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
Common tree squirrels with their big bushy tails and striped ground squirrels (also known as chipmunks) can uproot a thriving container garden in short order.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2024
Pine grosbeaks, mountain chickadees, golden-mantled ground squirrels and pine squirrels may also make an appearance along this portion of the trail.
—Estes Park Trail-Gazette, The Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2024
Many types of animals can be affected by plague, including rock squirrels, wood rats, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks, mice, voles and rabbits.
—Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
In Levin park, Parham has photographed the hawks vocalizing, posturing handsomely and in one grisly instance — captured with dramatic, Caravaggio-like shadows — ripping apart a hapless ground squirrel.
—John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 6 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for ground squirrel
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ground squirrel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1688, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near ground squirrel
Cite this Entry
“Ground squirrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground%20squirrel. Accessed 10 Sep. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on ground squirrel
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ground squirrel
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