porcupine

noun

por·​cu·​pine ˈpȯr-kyə-ˌpīn How to pronounce porcupine (audio)
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)

Illustration of porcupine

Illustration of porcupine

Examples of porcupine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Other trees’ leaves may break out in acne-like red spots or sport projections as bristly as a porcupine. Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2023 One day, a few friends of mine who were hunters brought eight porcupines with them. Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas News, 29 Aug. 2023 In the part within the Northwest Territories, a collection of conifers—spruce, firs, pines—and other native plants are home to hundreds of species of wild animals, including bears, bison, beavers, wolves, ravens, and porcupines. Tracey Lindeman, WIRED, 19 Aug. 2023 Attendees gather for the ceremonial burning of a wooden porcupine. Annalisa Quinn, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2023 Nestled near the top of a sugar maple tree was a Eurasian magpie nest that resembled a cyberpunk porcupine, with thin metal rods sticking out in every direction. Emily Anthes, New York Times, 13 July 2023 After a study that took her more than six years, Coltrane presented these porcupine insights during her thesis defense: • Alaska porcupines are almost twice as large as Lower 48 porcupines. Ned Rozell | Alaska Science, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Mar. 2023 The trip starts with an evening boat ride, followed by a hike and dinner by a campfire, then the ultimate twilight treat: floating down the river beneath a blanket of darkness—with only one torchlight per boat to illuminate the potential leopards, porcupines, and gibbons en route. Stephanie Vermillion, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Feb. 2023 For many Texas Republicans these days, renewable power is about as welcome as a porcupine at a nudist colony. Jennifer Hiller, WSJ, 26 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'porcupine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English porke despyne, from Middle French porc espin, from Old Italian porcospino, from Latin porcus pig + spina spine, prickle

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of porcupine was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near porcupine

porcino

porcupine

Porcupine

Cite this Entry

“Porcupine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porcupine. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

porcupine

noun
por·​cu·​pine ˈpȯr-kyə-ˌpīn How to pronounce porcupine (audio)
: any of various rather large slow-moving mostly plant-eating rodents with stiff sharp quills among the hairs on the body
Etymology

Middle English porke despyne "porcupine," from early French porc espin, literally, "thorny pig," derived from Latin porcus "pig" and spina "spine, prickle" — related to pork, porpoise, spine see Word History at porpoise

Geographical Definition

Porcupine

geographical name

river 448 miles (721 kilometers) long in northern Yukon and northeastern Alaska flowing north and west into the Yukon River

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