groundhog

noun

ground·​hog ˈgrau̇n(d)-ˌhȯg How to pronounce groundhog (audio)
-ˌhäg

Examples of groundhog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Anything can happen in a garden, nothing lasts, and yet something can always be made out of the soil, even with the most destructive weather, even when rabbits and groundhogs and Japanese beetles join forces, greedy and ruthless. Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2023 The groundhogs are the most effective destroyers of a garden. Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2023 David Paul Morris—Bloomberg/Getty Images Every February, Americans gather around their televisions to watch as a groundhog in a small town in western Pennsylvania pokes his head out of his burrow and either reacts to seeing his shadow in the snow or not. Bywill Daniel, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2023 The groundhog appeared to live under the shed and in a den behind the garden. Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023 Among wildest temptations: Resisting the plump groundhog munching grass in the yard. Mariashines, cleveland, 24 July 2023 The eaglets’ parents are bringing them plenty of food — usually shad, koi or catfish; and sometimes the occasional squirrel or groundhog — Greeley said. Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2023 The last case was on July 7, when a groundhog potentially exposed a dog to rabies. Katia Parks, Baltimore Sun, 17 July 2023 Corn encounters a lot of pressure from external factors, such as deer or groundhogs, who eat or disturb the plants, or even rocky soil, explains Bryan Butler, the principal agent in agriculture and natural resources stationed in the Carroll County office of the University of Maryland Extension. Hannah Gore, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'groundhog.' 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

1741, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of groundhog was in 1741

Dictionary Entries Near groundhog

Cite this Entry

“Groundhog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groundhog. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

groundhog

noun
ground·​hog ˈgrau̇nd-ˌhȯg How to pronounce groundhog (audio)
-ˌhäg

More from Merriam-Webster on groundhog

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