Illustration of prairie dog
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
Examples of prairie dog in a Sentence
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This landscape contains a diverse set of life ranging from bison and prairie dogs to ducks, catfish and alligators.
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2025
The bubonic plague is the most common form of the bacterial infection, which spreads naturally among rodents like prairie dogs and rats.
—CBS News, 12 July 2025
The case is not connected to a recent die-off of prairie dogs in the area, officials said.
—Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Investigators found traces of the bacterium in multiple pet dogs living near the prairie dog colony, the report said.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 July 2025
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2025
The bubonic plague is the most common form of the bacterial infection, which spreads naturally among rodents like prairie dogs and rats.
—CBS News, 12 July 2025
The case is not connected to a recent die-off of prairie dogs in the area, officials said.
—Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Investigators found traces of the bacterium in multiple pet dogs living near the prairie dog colony, the report said.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prairie dog
Cite this Entry
“Prairie dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prairie%20dog. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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