woodchuck

noun

wood·​chuck ˈwu̇d-ˌchək How to pronounce woodchuck (audio)
: a grizzled thickset marmot (Marmota monax) chiefly of Alaska, Canada, and the northeastern U.S.

called also groundhog

Examples of woodchuck in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Opossum, skunk, weasel, porcupine, snowshoe hare and woodchucks No season limits, bag limits, size limits or possession limits, but a license is required. Drew Dawson, Journal Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2017 The bobcat slowly circled the woodchuck with the woodchuck pivoting in the middle of the circle to keep facing the bobcat. BostonGlobe.com, 26 Jan. 2022 The garden is also a refuge for urban wildlife, housing foxes, woodchucks, opossums, bats and hens. Hailey Closson, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2023 Users could download the skill for $0.99 to ask Jackson important questions, like what his favorite movie line is or how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood. Stephanie Mlot, PCMAG, 31 May 2023 Finding all the woodchuck entrances and exits to their burrows is no easy task. BostonGlobe.com, 3 May 2023 Woodchuck tick: Also known as the groundhog tick, it is often found on pets near dens of skunks and woodchucks throughout the state. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 17 Apr. 2023 So are groundhogs and woodchucks. John Kelly, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2023 After mating, pairs move in together to raise kits, usually by expanding a burrow abandoned by a woodchuck or skunk. Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2023

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

by folk etymology from a word of Algonquian origin; akin to Narragansett ockqutchaun woodchuck

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of woodchuck was in 1674

Dictionary Entries Near woodchuck

Cite this Entry

“Woodchuck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woodchuck. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

woodchuck

noun
wood·​chuck -ˌchək How to pronounce woodchuck (audio)
: a stocky marmot mostly of Alaska, Canada, and the northeastern U.S.

called also groundhog

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