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

He was also invited by Gary Barlow to appear on the 2011 Children In Need single, a cover of Massive Attack's Teardrop that also featured Chipmunk, Wretch 32, Labrinth, Ms Dynamite and Rizzle Kicks.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

Along the way, you’ll boulder-hop Box and Chipmunk creeks, and then finally hop from rock to rock and tightrope a log over Leroy Creek, the largest tributary of Phelps Creek.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 3, 2021

“The Chipmunk Song” wasn’t No. 1 that December because it was a Christmas record.

From Slate • Dec. 20, 2019

The vocals get seriously warped by computer effects on “Basic,” and they almost sound like Alvin the Chipmunk on “24-7” and “I Got the Money” but somehow pull it off with goofiness and grooviness.

From Washington Times • Oct. 16, 2019

Khalil called him Chipmunk because of them, but he’d check anybody stupid enough to call his little brother fat.

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas