prairie dog

noun

: any of a genus (Cynomys) of gregarious burrowing rodents of the squirrel family chiefly of central and western U.S. plains
especially : a black-tailed rodent (C. ludovicianus) that usually lives in extensive colonial burrows

Illustration of prairie dog

Illustration of prairie dog

Examples of prairie dog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Nearby attractions include a prairie dog town, wetlands, and a 2-mile interpretative trail—one of the few dedicated hiking paths on the preserve. Adam Roy, Outside Online, 24 Apr. 2025 Most of the collisions were birds, including bald eagles, owls larks and mallards, but some of the strikes included prairie dogs, bats, coyotes and rabbits. Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025 Native to the open prairies of the Great Plains, these elusive, nocturnal predators rely almost entirely on prairie dogs for both food and shelter. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 Trackers on the prairie dogs were removed after 10-12 days. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prairie dog

Word History

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prairie dog was in 1774

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Cite this Entry

“Prairie dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prairie%20dog. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

prairie dog

noun
: a black-tailed buff or grayish rodent of central and western U.S. prairies that is related to the squirrels and usually lives in colonies with many burrows

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