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

These are important tools used for both feeding and building their dens and digging for other menu items such as mice, gophers, voles and shrews. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026

Excessively long grass encourages vole and rodent activity in winter, yet grass cut too short is susceptible to cold weather damage. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2026

Plus, alliums are resistant to deer, voles, chipmunks, and rabbits. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 1 June 2026

Nearly 30% of rodents – 189 mice, voles and chipmunks – in the Palouse region of Washington and Idaho were found to have been infected at some point with the strain, known as Sin Nombre virus, or SNV. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 22 May 2026

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