star-nosed mole

noun

: a common black long-tailed semiaquatic mole (Condylura cristata) of the northeastern U.S. and adjacent Canada that has a series of pink fleshy projections surrounding the nostrils

Illustration of star-nosed mole

Illustration of star-nosed mole

Examples of star-nosed mole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Both the Iberian mole and the star-nosed mole have a piece of DNA inverted in a region that’s key to the regulation of this gene. Alejandra Manjarrez, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2023 Iberian and star-nosed moles have three copies of this gene, while most mammals have only one. Alejandra Manjarrez, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2023 In search of clues, Martínez Real and Jiménez Medina were part of a team that analyzed the genomes of the Iberian mole and one of its relatives, the star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata), whose females also develop ovotestes. Alejandra Manjarrez, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2023 Researchers compared the genomes of these mammals with those of a diverse assortment of others, including an aardvark, a meerkat, a star-nosed mole and a human. Emily Anthes, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2023 The star-nosed mole has 22 tentacle-like rays on its snout that provide it with an exceptional sense of touch. Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 8 Oct. 2019 Gaze upon the male star-nosed mole and its 22 pink, fleshy appendages in place of a face. Leanne Italie, ajc, 23 Dec. 2022 The star-nosed mole can barely see, yet this hamster-size mammal is the fastest-hunting predator in the animal kingdom. Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2022

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

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of star-nosed mole was in 1825

Dictionary Entries Near star-nosed mole

Cite this Entry

“Star-nosed mole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/star-nosed%20mole. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

star-nosed mole

noun
ˈstär-nōzd-
: a black long-tailed mole of the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada that is found near or in water and has a bunch of pink fleshy projections surrounding the nostrils which are used as feelers in searching for food

More from Merriam-Webster on star-nosed mole

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!