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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
Many types of animals can be affected by plague, including rock squirrels, wood rats, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks, mice, voles and rabbits.
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Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
In Levin park, Parham has photographed the hawks vocalizing, posturing handsomely and in one grisly instance — captured with dramatic, Caravaggio-like shadows — ripping apart a hapless ground squirrel.
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John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 6 July 2024
Tree and ground squirrels are tough to control in an open garden bed.
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Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2024
An increase in trash attracted more ground squirrels and ravens, the latter of which feed on the young of endangered desert tortoises.
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Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ground squirrel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1688, in the meaning defined above
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 18 Aug. 2024.
Kids Definition
ground squirrel
noun
: any of numerous burrowing rodents (as gophers and chipmunks) that differ from true squirrels in having cheek pouches and shorter fur
More from Merriam-Webster on ground squirrel
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ground squirrel
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