meerkat

American  

[meer-kat] / ˈmɪər kæt /

noun

1. suricate.

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meerkat British  

/ ˈmɪəˌkæt /

noun

1. any of several South African mongooses, esp Suricata suricatta ( slender-tailed meerkat or suricate ), which has a lemur-like face and four-toed feet

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Etymology

Origin of meerkat

Dutch: literally, monkey, apparently equivalent to meer ( see mere ²) + kat cat

Example Sentences

Some of the opposition against Marsh, both from the council and her online critics, focused on her taking a meerkat to the pub and sharing a bed with it.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

"When one meerkat calls, a neighbour is likely to reply," he adds.

From Science Daily • May 20, 2024

At times Bobby suggests a cross between two of Eichner’s better-known roles, merging the hyper-eloquent comic belligerence of “Parks and Recreation’s” Craig Middlebrook with the singing chops of “The Lion King’s” Timon the meerkat.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2022

But recently he was asked to take over the role of Timon, the meerkat, for four months on a national tour.

From Washington Post • Jul. 21, 2022

“Not at all. It was horrific and it stank. By the way, how do you explain the meerkat bones in the lifeboat?”

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel