marmot

noun

mar·​mot ˈmär-mət How to pronounce marmot (audio)
: any of a genus (Marmota) of stout-bodied short-legged chiefly herbivorous burrowing rodents of the squirrel family that have coarse fur, a short bushy tail, and very small ears and that hibernate during the winter compare woodchuck

Illustration of marmot

Illustration of marmot

Examples of marmot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trout swim in its brilliant turquoise waters, while elk and sunbathing marmots are often seen from the path. — Abigail Bliss, Denver Post, 13 May 2026 Humans also have long exploited marmots for meat and fur. — Steven Sullivan, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026 Groundhogs are rodents that belong to the marmot or ground squirrel family. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026 The park is home to more than 200 bird species and 58 mammals, and visitors will be able to see everything from marmots to elk to bears. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for marmot

Word History

Etymology

French marmotte

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of marmot was in 1607

Browse Nearby Words

marmoset
marmot
Marmota
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Marmot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marmot. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

marmot

noun
mar·​mot ˈmär-mət How to pronounce marmot (audio)
: any of a genus of burrowing rodents with a stout body, short legs, coarse fur, a short bushy tail, and very small ears compare woodchuck

Medical Definition

marmot

noun
mar·​mot ˈmär-mət How to pronounce marmot (audio)
: any of various stout-bodied short-legged burrowing rodents (genus Marmota) with coarse fur, a short bushy tail, and very small ears that are important reservoirs of sylvatic plague

More from Merriam-Webster on marmot

Nglish: Translation of marmot for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about marmot

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