vole

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈvōl 

: any of various small rodents (Microtus and related genera) that typically have a stout body, rather blunt nose, and short ears, inhabit both moist meadows and dry uplands and do much damage to crops, and are closely related to muskrats and lemmings

vole

2 of 2

noun (2)

: grand slam sense 3

Examples of vole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But the Ice Age event left little mark on moles, voles, frogs, trees, shrubs, and grasses. —Robert Baker, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2019

Protection around overwintering peas is needed in addition to the polytunnel itself—not so much for protection from cold but more for protection from creatures like mice and voles. —Elizabeth Waddington, Treehugger, 24 Sep. 2023

Sometimes, voles can even strip the bark off the base of trees and shrubs. Moles or Voles: What's Causing Your Garden Problem? —Elizabeth Waddington, Treehugger, 5 Sep. 2023

Mice and voles were often on the menu, as were birds ranging from the tiny Wilson’s warbler to the much larger black-headed grosbeak. —Jennie Rothenberg Gritz, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Sep. 2023

Despite the new species’ scientific name, the researchers say the animal more closely resembles a shrew or vole than a mouse. —Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 16 Aug. 2023

Insel was brilliantly successful, famous for illuminating the role of the hormone oxytocin in eliciting bonding behavior in voles—an important finding in the emerging field of social neuroscience. —George Makari, The New Yorker, 13 July 2023

There are a few culprits that could be doing this – gophers, voles or mice. —oregonlive, 24 June 2023

These stealthy predators eat their fair share of rabbits, but will also hunt for mice, voles and birds when rabbits run scarce. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 25 July 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

earlier vole-mouse, from vole- (of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse vǫllr field) + mouse; akin to Old English weald forest — more at wold

Noun (2)

French, probably from voler to fly — more at volley entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1805, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1679, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing vole

• meadow vole

• meadow vole

Kids Definition

vole

noun

ˈvōl

: any of various small rodents that are closely related to the lemmings and muskrats but in general look like fat mice or rats and that are sometimes harmful to crops

Medical Definition

vole

noun

ˈvōl 

: any of various small rodents (family Cricetidae and especially genus Microtus) that typically have a stout body, rather blunt nose, and short ears, that inhabit both moist meadows and dry uplands and do much damage to crops, and that are closely related to muskrats and lemmings but in general resemble stocky mice or rats