prairie dog
Definition of prairie dog
: 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
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Illustration of prairie dog
1774
First Known Use of prairie dog
1774
PRAIRIE DOG Defined for English Language Learners
prairie dog
Definition of prairie dog for English Language Learners
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: a small animal that lives on the prairies of the central and western U.S.
PRAIRIE DOG Defined for Kids
prairie dog
Definition of prairie dog for Students
: a burrowing animal of the prairies of the central and western United States that is related to the squirrel and lives in large colonies
Learn More about prairie dog
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See words that rhyme with prairie dog Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prairie dog
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