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

Though the California ground squirrel is native to the area, its burrowing can contribute to coastal erosion, especially along the bluffs above Pacific Coast Highway. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025

Luckily, the Great Karoo is home to a wide array of rodents and medium-sized game: porcupines, ground squirrels, gerbils, moles, and a vast array of rats and mice. —Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 30 Apr. 2025

While in hibernation torpor, ground squirrels’ endure up to a 95 percent reduction in their metabolic rate. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 26 Mar. 2025

Then there are ground squirrels, which usually live in forests, and hibernate in winter. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 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