hedgehog

noun

hedge·​hog ˈhej-ˌhȯg 

-ˌhäg

1

a

: any of a subfamily (Erinaceinae) of Eurasian and African nocturnal insectivores that have both hair and spines which they present outwardly by rolling themselves up when threatened

b

: any of several spiny mammals (such as a porcupine)

2

a

: a military defensive obstacle (as of barbed wire)

b

: a well-fortified military stronghold

Illustration of hedgehog

• hedgehog 1a

Did you know?

There are 14 species of hedgehogs. All prefer animal food, such as insects, but will eat plant material. There are nine species of spiny hedgehogs. They have short, barbless spines on the back, a round body, small head, pointed face, and little or no tail, and range from 4 in (10 cm) to 17 in (44 cm) long. Spiny hedgehogs are native to Britain, North Africa, and Asia; one species was introduced into New Zealand. There are five species of hairy hedgehog; all are Asian. They have coarse guard hairs, but no spines and are extremely malodorous. The common hairy hedgehog may be 18 in (46 cm) long and have a 12-in (30 cm) tail.

Examples of hedgehog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Anything is possible, as fan criticism over the first Sonic movie and its original design for the blue hedgehog actually got a response from director Jeff Fowler. —Sharareh Drury, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025

Medieval cooks molded pork meatloaf to look like pea pods and massaged sweet almond paste into hedgehogs. —Molly Young, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025

Due to a lack of hedgehogs, settlers in the new world began to rely on the groundhog, another small hibernating mammal. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2025

This Year Hawaii Could Get More Snow Than New York City Has Had This Year New York City Weather: Will Mild Temperatures Continue? Germans embraced the tradition and added a hedgehog to the mix. —David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English heyghoge, from heyg, hegge hedge entry 1 + hoge, hogge hog entry 1

Note: See note at urchin.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for hedgehog

• analog
• analogue
• catalogue
• decalogue
• demagogue
• dialogue
• epilogue
• homologue
• monologue
• pedagogue
• synagogue
• tagalog

Kids Definition

hedgehog

noun

hedge·​hog ˈhej-ˌhȯg 

-ˌhäg

1

: any of several mammals of Europe, Asia, and Africa that eat insects, have sharp spines mixed with the hair on their back, and are able to roll themselves up into a spiny ball when threatened

2

: porcupine