black-footed ferret

noun

: a rare weasel (Mustela nigripes) of western North American prairies having a yellowish coat, dark feet and facial mask, and a dark-tipped tail

Illustration of black-footed ferret

Illustration of black-footed ferret

Examples of black-footed ferret in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For decades, the ESA has been the primary legislative tool for halting extinction, credited with preventing the loss of species ranging from bald eagles to black-footed ferrets. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 That there are any black-footed ferrets at all is something of a miracle. Benji Jones, Vox, 26 Feb. 2025 The nonprofit is working on reviving populations of the black-footed ferret and passenger pigeon, among other animals. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025 With that, the extinct black-footed ferret was officially brought back from the dead. Benji Jones, Vox, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for black-footed ferret

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of black-footed ferret was in 1846

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Cite this Entry

“Black-footed ferret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black-footed%20ferret. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

black-footed ferret

noun
black-foot·​ed ferret
ˈblak-ˌfu̇t-əd-
: an endangered weasel of western North American prairies having a yellowish coat, black feet and face markings, and a black-tipped tail

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