squirrel cage

[ skwur-uhl keyj, skwuhr-uhl ]

noun

1. hamster wheel ( defs 1, 2 ).
2. a cage containing a hamster wheel.

squirrel cage

noun

1. a cage consisting of a cylindrical framework that is made to rotate by a small animal running inside the framework
2. a repetitive purposeless task, way of life, etc
3. Also calledsquirrel-cage motor electrical engineering the rotor of an induction motor with a cylindrical winding having copper bars around the periphery parallel to the axis
4. an electric fan with many long narrow blades arranged in parallel so as to form a cylinder about an axis around which they spin

Word History and Origins

Origin of squirrel cage¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

The trick, Anne said, is opening the squirrel cages to put in food without the squirrels getting out.

From Washington Post

A squirrel cage provides nesting areas resembling Georgian town houses, along with a pet running wheel attached to mechanical figures who come to life when it turns.

From New York Times

The ends are secured in flanges like the wires of a squirrel cage.

From Project Gutenberg

The world whirls like a wheel in a squirrel cage which we all tread:––only to find ourselves together after travelling many, many miles at top speed!...

From Project Gutenberg

It is the girl whirled around in a squirrel cage of pointless weekly and Sunday engagements who is oppressed and mastered by her lack of freedom.

From Project Gutenberg