chipmunk

American  

[chip-muhngk] / ˈtʃɪp mʌŋk /

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.

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chipmunk British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of chipmunk

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

Example Sentences

I have never owned a dog, but I have had the privilege of loving countless cats and, for seven years, a small chipmunk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

Even a cow hugging a chipmunk, which I believe is now illegal in most of the South.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2025

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

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2025

Scientists have also recorded it in a pet chipmunk in Germany and in healthy captive parrots.

From National Geographic • Dec. 5, 2023

But all I could do was wait for the chipmunk and Cletus to take care of their business so we might just go on home.

From "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant