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

There Are About 20 Species of Hamsters Hamsters belong to the family Cricetidae, which includes voles and lemmings as well as rats and mice. —Noel Kirkpatrick, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026

Take steps to discourage and rid your garden of moles, voles and other rodent pests. —Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026

Owls dine on mice, voles, rats, squirrels, rabbits, and other pests that plague gardens and invade homes. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Jan. 2026

Barn owls are normally found in large swaths of these grassy areas, whose open spaces are also home to some of their favorite prey, voles. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 17 Dec. 2025

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

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