chipmunk

noun

chip·​munk ˈchip-ˌməŋk How to pronounce chipmunk (audio)
: any of a genus (Tamias) of small striped North American and Asian rodents of the squirrel family

Examples of chipmunk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Skip the poison baits, too, because chipmunks are hoarders. Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 30 Aug. 2023 Squirrels and chipmunks are the most common animals to carry the plague in central Oregon, per Deschutes County Health Services. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 The department also asks people to avoid contact with rodents and refrain from feeding squirrels or chipmunks. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 9 Feb. 2024 People should also avoid feeding squirrels and chipmunks, stay away from other wild rodents and take measures to prevent flea bites when outdoors. Sabienna Bowman, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 The ‘tech support’ scam In her home office in February last year, with a sparrow’s nest outside her window and chipmunk figurines on bookshelves behind her, Sharples sat stumped by the Spelling Bee word game on her screen. Michael Laris, Washington Post, 14 Dec. 2023 Almost as soon as it’s built, a stone wall is inhabited by insects—a key indicator of biodiversity—and small animals such as voles, chipmunks, and wrens. Hannah Kirshner, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2023 When the weather permits, the Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long features s'mores, an outdoor movie, a sing-a-long, and of course, the lovable chipmunks. Carlye Wisel, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2023 The bulk of a coyotes’ diet consists of rodents, mainly field mice, rats, chipmunks, and ground squirrels. Hampton Bourne, Field & Stream, 22 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chipmunk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier chitmunk, probably from Ojibwa ačitamo·nʔ red squirrel

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chipmunk was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near chipmunk

Cite this Entry

“Chipmunk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chipmunk. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chipmunk

noun
chip·​munk ˈchip-ˌməŋk How to pronounce chipmunk (audio)
: any of numerous small striped animals of North America and Asia related to the squirrels

More from Merriam-Webster on chipmunk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!