Illustration of porcupine
porcupine
noun
por·cu·pine
ˈpȯr-kyə-ˌpīn 
plural porcupines also porcupine
: any of various relatively large slow-moving chiefly herbivorous rodents having sharp erectile spines mingled with the hair and constituting an Old World terrestrial family (Hystricidae) and a New World chiefly arboreal family (Erethizontidae)
Examples of porcupine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even if Taiwan turned itself into the ultimate porcupine, China would probably respond by improving its own capabilities—not by gambling on an invasion.
—
Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
The porcupine is mainly nocturnal and feeds mostly on fruit.
—Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
The final photograph, David Northall's 'Spiked,' shows a relentless honey badger doubling back to attack a porcupine that has left the badger bloodied and covered in large quills.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
The aquarium was cited in January for cramped and unsanitary conditions in enclosures for otters, porcupines and other animals.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for porcupine
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.
Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
The porcupine is mainly nocturnal and feeds mostly on fruit.
—Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
The final photograph, David Northall's 'Spiked,' shows a relentless honey badger doubling back to attack a porcupine that has left the badger bloodied and covered in large quills.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 5 Feb. 2025
The aquarium was cited in January for cramped and unsanitary conditions in enclosures for otters, porcupines and other animals.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for porcupine
Cite this Entry
“Porcupine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porcupine. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
porcupine
noun
por·cu·pine
ˈpȯr-kyə-ˌpīn
: any of various rather large slow-moving mostly plant-eating rodents with stiff sharp quills among the hairs on the body
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share