porcupine

noun

por·​cu·​pine ˈpȯr-kyə-ˌpīn 

plural porcupines also porcupine

: any of various relatively large slow-moving chiefly herbivorous rodents having sharp erectile spines mingled with the hair and constituting an Old World terrestrial family (Hystricidae) and a New World chiefly arboreal family (Erethizontidae)

Illustration of porcupine

Examples of porcupine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ana Laura’s daughter was thrilled to see a porcupine after reading a book in class. —Tony Plohetski, Austin American-Statesman, 17 July 2024

While clearly related, neotropical porcupines look different. —Discover Magazine, 30 Sep. 2024

This little guy was born when San Diego Zoo's veterinary team performed the first-ever C-section for a North American porcupine earlier this year. —Kate Murphy, Axios, 18 Sep. 2024

The art is in the otherworldly magic within the pictures—the majesty of a wolf’s face, the grace of swans on a lake, the bold colors of red-and-green macaws, the pose of a porcupine, the embrace of a tiger. —Kayla Randall, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English porke despyne, from Middle French porc espin, from Old Italian porcospino, from Latin porcus pig + spina spine, prickle

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing porcupine

• porcupine fish

Kids Definition

porcupine

noun

por·​cu·​pine ˈpȯr-kyə-ˌpīn 

: any of various rather large slow-moving mostly plant-eating rodents with stiff sharp quills among the hairs on the body

Etymology

Middle English porke despyne "porcupine," from early French porc espin, literally, "thorny pig," derived from Latin porcus "pig" and spina "spine, prickle" — related to pork, porpoise, spine see Word History at porpoise

Geographical Definition

Porcupine

geographical name

river 448 miles (721 kilometers) long in northern Yukon and northeastern Alaska flowing north and west into the Yukon River