ground squirrel
noun
: any of various burrowing North American and Eurasian rodents (especially genus Spermophilus) of the squirrel family that often live in colonies especially in open areas (such as grasslands)
called also spermophile
Examples of ground squirrel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Burrowing owl numbers are also declining in the Central Valley due to exurban development, conversion of grasslands to agricultural lands, development of large-scale wind and solar energy infrastructure and the eradication of ground squirrels.
—
Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024
The site is habitat for desert tortoises and Mohave ground squirrels, which are both listed as threatened under the state’s Endangered Species Act.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024
Common tree squirrels with their big bushy tails and striped ground squirrels (also known as chipmunks) can uproot a thriving container garden in short order.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2024
Pine grosbeaks, mountain chickadees, golden-mantled ground squirrels and pine squirrels may also make an appearance along this portion of the trail.
—Estes Park Trail-Gazette, The Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ground squirrel 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024
The site is habitat for desert tortoises and Mohave ground squirrels, which are both listed as threatened under the state’s Endangered Species Act.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024
Common tree squirrels with their big bushy tails and striped ground squirrels (also known as chipmunks) can uproot a thriving container garden in short order.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2024
Pine grosbeaks, mountain chickadees, golden-mantled ground squirrels and pine squirrels may also make an appearance along this portion of the trail.
—Estes Park Trail-Gazette, The Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ground squirrel
Dictionary Entries Near ground squirrel
Cite this Entry
“Ground squirrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ground%20squirrel. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share