hedgehog

noun hedge·hog \ ˈhej-ˌhȯg , -ˌhäg \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Definition of hedgehog

1 a : any of a subfamily (Erinaceinae) of Eurasian and African nocturnal insectivores that have both hair and spines which they present outwardly by rolling themselves up when threatened

b : any of several spiny mammals (such as a porcupine)

2 a : a military defensive obstacle (as of barbed wire)

b : a well-fortified military stronghold

See hedgehog defined for English-language learners

See hedgehog defined for kids

Recent Examples of hedgehog from the Web

Other predator groups such as bats, primates, shrews, hedgehogs, frogs, salamanders and lizards also seem to be valuable bug eaters but are less effective natural enemies of plant-eating insects.

— doyle rice, ajc, "Yum! Birds eat up to 550 million tons of insects each year," 9 July 2018
Summer Camp Island An elephant and a hedgehog find themselves at a wacky summer camp as this animated series premieres with a marathon of 20 quarter-hour episodes.

— matt cooper, latimes.com, "Saturday's TV highlights and weekend talk shows: 'Justice League' on HBO and more," 7 July 2018
In May, American Airlines banned hedgehogs, ferrets and goats from planes.

— alexandra deabler, Fox News, "Airline group seeks to limit all 'emotional support' animals to just dogs," 28 June 2018
Feel free to bring your cat, dog, or miniature horse, but leave the hedgehogs, ferrets, insects, rodents, snakes, spiders, sugar gliders, birds, and reptiles at home.

— katherine lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, "JetBlue Tightens Policy on Emotional Support Animals (But Still Allows Mini Horses)," 6 June 2018
Starting in July, American Airlines will ban ferrets, hedgehogs, and goats from their planes.

— greg gutfeld, Fox News, "Gutfeld on new rules against comfort animals," 16 May 2018
Leave your service insect, hedgehog or goat at home.

— chabeli herrera, miamiherald, "As more support animals try to fly, American Airlines says leave the goats at home," 14 May 2018
Likethumb_up Replyreply Linklink Copy Reportflag bigmacinpittsburgh 1 minute ago Must have been a black or Brown hedgehog,the deputy didn't even try to talk him into surrendering!

— dana hedgpeth, Washington Post, "Video shows a Md. deputy shooting a groundhog that was ‘acting oddly’," 7 May 2018
To borrow from Isaiah Berlin, these figures were hedgehogs, over-focused on one doctrine or objective and unable to adapt their plans to meet the needs of the day.

— john nagl, WSJ, "‘On Grand Strategy’ Review: The War Against Decline and Fall," 16 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hedgehog.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

There are 14 species of hedgehogs. All prefer animal food, such as insects, but will eat plant material. There are nine species of spiny hedgehogs. They have short, barbless spines on the back, a round body, small head, pointed face, and little or no tail, and range from 4 in (10 cm) to 17 in (44 cm) long. Spiny hedgehogs are native to Britain, North Africa, and Asia; one species was introduced into New Zealand. There are five species of hairy hedgehog; all are Asian. They have coarse guard hairs, but no spines and are extremely malodorous. The common hairy hedgehog may be 18 in (46 cm) long and have a 12-in (30 cm) tail.

Illustration of hedgehog

First Known Use of hedgehog

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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HEDGEHOG Defined for English Language Learners

hedgehog

noun

Definition of hedgehog for English Language Learners

: a small, brown animal of Europe, Asia, and Africa that has sharp spines on its back and that can roll itself up into a ball

HEDGEHOG Defined for Kids

hedgehog

noun hedge·hog \ ˈhej-ˌhȯg , -ˌhäg \

Definition of hedgehog for Students

1 : a mammal of Europe, Asia, and Africa that eats insects, has sharp spines mixed with the hair on its back, and is able to roll itself up into a ball when threatened

2 : porcupine