gopher

1 of 2

noun (1)

go·​pher ˈgō-fər 

1

: a burrowing land tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) of the southern U.S.

broadly : any of several related land tortoises

called also gopher tortoise

2

a

: any of a family (Geomyidae) of burrowing rodents of western North America, Central America, and the southern U.S. that are the size of a large rat and have large cheek pouches opening beside the mouth

called also pocket gopher

b

: any of several small ground squirrels (genus Spermophilus) of the prairie region of North America

3

: gopher ball

Illustration of gopher

• gopher 2a

gopher

2 of 2

noun (2)

go·​pher

less common spelling of gofer

informal

: an employee whose duties include running errands : lackey

Examples of gopher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Create a sand-art gopher tortoise using colored sand while learning what makes gopher tortoises so special. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025

While gopher tortoises can be encountered in abundance during a visit to the park, guests can also marvel at its longleaf pine forests, with bird species like the downy woodpecker and red-breasted nuthatch found flitting from tree to tree. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

The area is also an important habitat for scrub jays, wading birds, burrowing owls, raccoons, opossums, rabbits and gopher tortoises. —Noël Fletcher, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

An act of vandalism could have a lasting effect on a pair of gopher tortoises in southwest Florida. —Rachel McRady, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gopher

• gopher ball
• gopher snake
• pocket gopher

Rhymes for gopher

• loafer

Kids Definition

gopher

noun

go·​pher

ˈgō-fər

1

: a burrowing land tortoise of the southern U.S.

2

a

: any of several burrowing American rodents with large cheek pouches

called also pocket gopher

b

: a small striped ground squirrel of the prairie region of the U.S.