pipistrelle

American

[pip-uh-strel, pip-uh-strel] / ˌpɪp əˈstrɛl, ˈpɪp əˌstrɛl /

noun

any of numerous insectivorous bats of the genus Pipistrellus, especially P. pipistrellus of Europe and Asia.

pipistrelle British

/ ˌpɪpɪˈstrɛl /

noun

any of numerous small brownish insectivorous bats of the genus Pipistrellus, occurring in most parts of the world: family Vespertilionidae

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of pipistrelle

1775–85; < French < Italian pipistrello, variant of vipistrello ≪ Latin vespertīliōn- (stem of vespertīliō ) bat. See vespertilionine

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

pipistrelle

The Nathusius' pipistrelle, which suffered some bruising in the crash in Whitburn, South Tyneside, has been rehabilitated by carers in Sunderland.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2025

This hoverfly migrates across Europe as far as the slopes of Switzerland, where they become prey for soprano pipistrelle bats.

From National Geographic ● Oct. 2, 2023

Some vanishings have inspired public outcry, such as the 2016 extinction declaration for the tiny Christmas Island pipistrelle bat species, last seen in 2009.

From Reuters ● Dec. 23, 2022

The Nathusius’ pipistrelle was found in a village in the Pskov region of northwestern Russia, according to the U.K.’s Bat Conservation Trust.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 7, 2021

This pipistrelle probably inhabits all of northern and northwestern Utah in suitable habitats.

From Additional Records and Extensions of Known Ranges of Mammals from Utah by Stephen D. Durrant

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023