golden hamster

noun

: a small tawny hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) native chiefly to Syria and often kept as a pet or used as a laboratory animal

called also Syrian hamster

Illustration of golden hamster

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

golden hamster

noun

: a small brownish yellow hamster that is native chiefly to Syria and often kept as a pet or used as a laboratory animal elsewhere