burrow

1 of 2

noun

bur·​row ˈbər-(ˌ)ō 

ˈbə-(ˌ)rō

: a hole or excavation in the ground made by an animal (such as a rabbit) for shelter and habitation

burrow

2 of 2

verb

burrowed; burrowing; burrows

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make a burrow

A fox had burrowed into the side of the hill.

b

: to progress by or as if by digging

burrowing through a pile of paperwork

2

: to make a motion suggestive of burrowing : snuggle, nestle

burrowed against his back for warmth

3

: to conceal oneself in or as if in a burrow

transitive verb

1

a

: to penetrate by means of a burrow

The tunnel burrows its way under the mountain.

b

: to construct by tunneling

burrowed a dwelling

2

: to make a motion suggestive of burrowing with : nestle

burrows her hand into mine

3

archaic : to hide in or as if in a hole in the ground made by an animal for shelter and habitation : to hide in or as if in a burrow

was burrowed in his cave

burrower noun

Synonyms

Noun

• den
• hole
• house
• lair
• lodge

Examples of burrow in a Sentence

Noun

the chipmunk retreated to its burrow to have its babies

Verb

The rabbit burrowed into the side of the hill.

The frogs burrow under the mud.

The mole burrowed its way under the ground.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Why getting rid of it is so difficult Preserving the Big Chino Grasslands Hidden within the sea of native grass, prairie dogs pop in and out of their burrows catching glimpses of a red tail hawk circling in the distance. —John Leos, The Arizona Republic, 2 Dec. 2024

At least two other wild turkeys have called Manhattan their home in the last few decades, but the animals are more often found in the only slightly less busy burrows of the Bronx and Staten Island. —Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 26 Nov. 2024

Verb

It has been given a boost of late with the introduction of French, Portuguese and Spanish subtitles, hopefully allowing Izzy to burrow into dozens more territories. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024

Trapdoor spiders, as their name suggests, are burrowing spiders. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English borow

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

Kids Definition

burrow

1 of 2 noun

bur·​row ˈbər-ō 

ˈbə-rō

: a hole in the ground made by an animal (as a rabbit or fox) for shelter or protection

burrow

2 of 2 verb

1

: to construct by tunneling

2

: to hide oneself in or as if in a burrow

3

: to move or enter by or as if by digging

burrower noun

Medical Definition

burrow

noun

bur·​row ˈbər-(ˌ)ō, ˈbə-(ˌ)rō 

: a passage or gallery formed in or under the skin by the wandering of a parasite (as the mite of scabies or a foreign hookworm)

burrow verb