ground squirrel

noun

1. any of several terrestrial rodents of the squirrel family, as of the genus Citellus and chipmunks of the genus Tamias. circ;circ;

ground squirrel

noun

1. any burrowing sciurine rodent of the genus Citellus and related genera, resembling chipmunks and occurring in North America, E Europe, and Asia Also calledgopher

Word History and Origins

Origin of ground squirrel¹

An Americanism dating back to 1680–90