Illustration of porcupine
porcupine
noun
por·cu·pine
ˈpȯr-kyə-ˌpīn 
plural porcupines also porcupine
: any of various relatively large slow-moving chiefly herbivorous rodents having sharp erectile spines mingled with the hair and constituting an Old World terrestrial family (Hystricidae) and a New World chiefly arboreal family (Erethizontidae)
Examples of porcupine in a Sentence
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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
In practical terms, becoming a porcupine means building up such national resilience that would-be aggressors think twice before engaging in an invasion that promises to be too costly to sustain.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
At another point in the video, a giraffe appears, reaching for a treetop, while there's also footage of a civet enjoying a snack and a porcupine displaying its quills.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Even if Taiwan turned itself into the ultimate porcupine, China would probably respond by improving its own capabilities—not by gambling on an invasion.
—Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for porcupine
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Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 30 Apr. 2025
In practical terms, becoming a porcupine means building up such national resilience that would-be aggressors think twice before engaging in an invasion that promises to be too costly to sustain.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025
At another point in the video, a giraffe appears, reaching for a treetop, while there's also footage of a civet enjoying a snack and a porcupine displaying its quills.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Even if Taiwan turned itself into the ultimate porcupine, China would probably respond by improving its own capabilities—not by gambling on an invasion.
—Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for porcupine
Cite this Entry
“Porcupine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porcupine. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
porcupine
noun
por·cu·pine
ˈpȯr-kyə-ˌpīn
: any of various rather large slow-moving mostly plant-eating rodents with stiff sharp quills among the hairs on the body
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