chipmunk

[chip-muhngk]

noun

1. any of several small, striped, terrestrial squirrels of the genera Tamias, of North America, and Eutamia, of Asia and North America, especially T. striatus, of eastern North America.

chipmunk

/ ˈtʃɪpˌmʌŋk /

noun

1. any burrowing sciurine rodent of the genera Tamias of E North America and Eutamias of W North America and Asia, typically having black-striped yellowish fur and cheek pouches for storing food

Word History and Origins

Origin of chipmunk¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; assimilated variant of earlier chitmunk, apparently from Ojibwe ačitamo·nʔ “red squirrel,” equivalent to ačit- “headfirst, face-down” + derivational elements; so called from the squirrel's manner of descending trees

Word History and Origins

Origin of chipmunk¹

C19: of Algonquian origin; compare Ojibwa atchitamon squirrel, literally: headfirst, referring to its method of descent from trees

Example Sentences

Scrappy Marie from Glasgow was edged out by Lulu, with her chipmunk smile, sculpted hair and bobby socks.

Read more on BBC

Woodland creatures that could carry the disease and should be avoided include chipmunks, wood rats, mice and marmots.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Nearby in the Rosemont Pavilion, the “Go Bowling” float loomed along with 16 other fantastical creations: chipmunks sharing an acorn, the Little Tramp dancing with his girl, B.B.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Behold, campers, this vile and destructive creature! This killer of songbirds! This murderer of chipmunks! This perfidious predator!”

Read more on Literature

“Maybe it was just a baby rat. Maybe it was a lost chipmunk,” Mom is saying.

Read more on Literature