chipmunk

[ chip-muhngk ]

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.

chipmunk

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of chipmunk¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of chipmunk¹

C19: of Algonquian origin; compare Ojibwa atchitamon squirrel, literally: headfirst, referring to its method of descent from trees

Example Sentences

“Behold, campers, this vile and destructive creature! This killer of songbirds! This murderer of chipmunks! This perfidious predator!”

From Literature

“Maybe it was just a baby rat. Maybe it was a lost chipmunk,” Mom is saying.

From Literature

For example, suburban developments that attempt to shove civilization into recently wild areas put humans in close contact with tick hosts like mice and chipmunks.

From Salon

In spring, find western bluebirds, great horned owls and tree frogs, chipmunks, buttercups, warblers and three species of hummingbirds.

From Seattle Times

The groundhog is a member of the squirrel family and related to chipmunks and prairie dogs.

From Seattle Times