snowshoe hare

noun

: a hare (Lepus americanus) of northern North America with heavy fur on the hind feet and a coat that in most populations is brown in the summer but usually white in the winter

called also snowshoe rabbit, varying hare

Illustration of snowshoe hare

Illustration of snowshoe hare
  • 1 winter coat
  • 2 summer coat

Examples of snowshoe hare 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.
In the snow beside the boardwalk, snowshoe hare leave their tracks behind. — Jeanine Barone, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 The large hind legs of a snowshoe hare leave two marks ahead of their smaller front feet, forming a letter Y. — Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2025 As for the spruce and birch forest model, several animals, such as the black bear, the moose and the snowshoe hare, call it home. — Shivani Vora, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025 The ranch also may be home to threatened or endangered species, including Canada lynx, American marten, snowshoe hare and Gunnison’s prairie dog. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for snowshoe hare

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snowshoe hare was circa 1890

Rhymes for snowshoe hare

See All Rhymes for snowshoe hare

Browse Nearby Words

snowshoe
snowshoe hare
snowslide
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snowshoe hare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snowshoe%20hare. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

snowshoe hare

noun
: a rather large hare of northern North America with heavily furred hind feet and a coat that is brown in summer but usually white in winter

called also snowshoe rabbit

More from Merriam-Webster on snowshoe hare

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about snowshoe hare

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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