prairie dog

noun

: any of a genus (Cynomys) of gregarious burrowing rodents of the squirrel family chiefly of central and western U.S. plains

especially : a black-tailed rodent (C. ludovicianus) that usually lives in extensive colonial burrows

Illustration of prairie dog

Examples of prairie dog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cause and History of Plague Plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a bacterium that primarily affects wild rodents — such as prairie dogs, squirrels and chipmunks — and their fleas. —Matthew Binnicker, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

People can contract plague after being bitten by infected fleas or touching infected animals like rats, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, prairie dogs, rabbits, mountain lions, ferrets, and even dogs and cats. —Alice Park, Time, 21 Aug. 2025

This landscape contains a diverse set of life ranging from bison and prairie dogs to ducks, catfish and alligators. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2025

The two animals will often hunt together to catch prairie dogs or squirrels, since badgers can dig below ground and coyotes can lead the above-ground chase. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prairie dog

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

Kids Definition

prairie dog

noun

: a black-tailed buff or grayish rodent of central and western U.S. prairies that is related to the squirrels and usually lives in colonies with many burrows