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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.

Research remains limited, although one Nathusius' pipistrelle was tracked travelling from Northumberland to Poland in 2017.

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

A pipistrelle bat set a new record for the longest-known bat migration.

From Scientific American • Jul. 9, 2022

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 Durrant, Stephen D.

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