ground squirrel

noun

: any of various burrowing North American and Eurasian rodents (especially genus Spermophilus) of the squirrel family that often live in colonies especially in open areas (such as grasslands)

called also spermophile

Examples of ground squirrel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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How squirrels can go for months without a drop to drink Just as many across the United States were sitting down around the Thanksgiving table for a feast, a study was published in the journal Science that details how hibernating ground squirrels can go for six to nine months without any water. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2024 California ground squirrels are known to mostly eat acorns, seeds, nuts and fruit, sometimes supplementing their diet with insects and bird eggs. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 22 Dec. 2024 In the wild, ground squirrels usually live up to five years and can grow up to 18-20 inches. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024 During that time, the scientists used live traps to capture, mark and release California ground squirrels on a biweekly basis. Julianna Bragg, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ground squirrel 

Word History

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ground squirrel was in 1688

Dictionary Entries Near ground squirrel

Cite this Entry

“Ground squirrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground%20squirrel. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

ground squirrel

noun
: any of numerous burrowing rodents (as gophers and chipmunks) that differ from true squirrels in having cheek pouches and shorter fur

More from Merriam-Webster on ground squirrel

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