woodchuck

[wood-chuhk]

noun

1. a stocky North American burrowing rodent, Marmota monax, that hibernates in the winter.

woodchuck

/ ˈwʊdˌtʃʌk /

noun

1. Also called: groundhog. a North American marmot, Marmota monax, having coarse reddish-brown fur

Word History and Origins

Origin of woodchuck¹

First recorded in 1665–75, presumably a reshaping by folk etymology of a word in a Southern New England Algonquian language; compare Narragansett ( English spelling) ockqutchaun “woodchuck”

Word History and Origins

Origin of woodchuck¹

C17: by folk etymology from Cree otcheck fisher, marten

Example Sentences

It’s also known as a woodchuck, a whistle pig — or in the parlance of Pennsylvania Dutch, a language with German roots, a “grundsau.”

From Seattle Times

Today is Groundhog Day in the U.S. — where a woodchuck is tasked with a long-range weather forecast.

From New York Times

These furry rodents, also called woodchucks, are in the squirrel family.

From Washington Post

But the woodchuck proved to be a mistake.

From Literature

Burroughs wore a coat made from woodchuck pelts.

From Seattle Times