Definition of SQUIRREL (original) (raw)
1
: any of various small or medium-sized rodents (family Sciuridae, the squirrel family): such as
a
: any of numerous New or Old World arboreal forms having a long bushy tail and strong hind legs
: to store up for future use —often used with away
squirrel away some money
Synonyms
Examples of squirrel in a Sentence
Verb
squirreled the information away for future reference
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Clean Feeders Putting up a feeder requires buying food, filling it up, hanging it in a safe place (away from predators, such as cats and squirrels), and cleaning it on a regular basis. —
Lauren David, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2024 The study authors posited one theory as to this previously unseen squirrel behavior: A boom in the local vole population — tracked by the crowdsourcing website iNaturalist — might have led the squirrels to take advantage of an available source of prey. —Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
When one person squirrels money away without the other’s knowledge, that’s financial infidelity. —Tribune News Service, Boston Herald, 13 Feb. 2024 Once entering the property and traveling down the mile-long gravel road, the beauty of nature unfolds: butterflies float along the path, tiny drops of rain fall on the windshield, squirrels dart across the road, a turtle saunters slowly, and a pair of cardinals watches from overhead. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 17 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for squirrel 
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English squirel, from Anglo-French escurel, esquirel, from Vulgar Latin *scuriolus, diminutive of scurius, alteration of Latin *sciurus, from Greek skiouros, probably from skia shadow + oura tail — more at shine, ass
Verb
from the squirrel's habit of storing up gathered nuts and seeds for winter use
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1925, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of squirrel was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near squirrel
Cite this Entry
“Squirrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squirrel. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.
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Last Updated: 26 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences
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