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
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
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
Phrases Containing porcupine
Dictionary Entries Near porcupine
Cite this Entry
“Porcupine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porcupine. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
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Kids 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
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
More from Merriam-Webster on porcupine
Nglish: Translation of porcupine for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of porcupine for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about porcupine
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