muskrat

noun

musk·​rat ˈməsk-ˌrat How to pronounce muskrat (audio)
plural muskrat or muskrats
: an aquatic rodent (Ondatra zibethica) of the U.S. and Canada with a long scaly laterally compressed tail, webbed hind feet, and dark glossy brown fur
also : its fur or pelt

Illustration of muskrat

Illustration of muskrat

Examples of muskrat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And Coop’s software can categorize nearby predators from muskrats to hawks to dogs with a 98-percent accuracy. Charlotte Hu, Popular Science, 19 Oct. 2023 The town would also need to purchase the necessary muskrat traps and be willing to take on any liability placing them in the park would cause. Patrick Camp The Cullman Times, al, 7 July 2023 Various Milwaukee and Waukesha county communities have contracted with state agencies to remove such animals in recent years, notably coyotes in Wauwatosa and muskrats around Okauchee Lake. Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 24 May 2023 Was that beaver really a muskrat? Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2021 At one point it was joined by a second muskrat. Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 June 2021 The fence was cut and the muskrat was released. Star Tribune, 17 Apr. 2021 Last week, six wild animals -- four raccoons, one muskrat and one snapping turtle -- were found dead in or around Sulphur Run, a creek that flows through downtown East Palestine and near the derailment site. Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2023 Gurneau said the muskrat is an animal that plays an important role in many of the creation stories of the Great Lakes tribes. Maddie Ellis, Chicago Tribune, 17 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'muskrat.' 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

probably by folk etymology from a word of Algonquian origin; akin to Massachusett musquash muskrat

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of muskrat was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near muskrat

Cite this Entry

“Muskrat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muskrat. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

muskrat

noun
musk·​rat ˈməs-ˌkrat How to pronounce muskrat (audio)
plural muskrat or muskrats
: a North American rodent that lives in or near the water, has a long scaly tail and webbed hind feet, and glossy usually dark brown fur
also : its fur or pelt

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