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

In 70% of cases where the squirrel won, they were seen carrying the dead vole somewhere else to eat it. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 22 Dec. 2024

The study was conducted in 2024 at Briones Regional Park in Contra Costa County, Calif., and found that the park's ground squirrels exhibited carnivorous behaviors — particularly in the peak summer months — and hunted voles. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024

The team recorded 74 interactions between the squirrels and voles, and 42% of the encounters involved squirrels — including both male and female juveniles and adults —actively hunting and consuming the voles. —Julianna Bragg, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024

Squirrels tended to kill the voles by biting the neck area and shaking their prey. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 18 Dec. 2024

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