gray squirrel

noun

: a common light gray to black squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) that is native to eastern North America and has been introduced into Great Britain and South Africa

Examples of gray squirrel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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At one point, naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton estimates Eastern gray squirrels likely numbered in the billions. Christine Peterson, Vox, 23 Dec. 2024 On average, the 2024 count included 1,007 gray squirrels counted, and 81 albino white squirrels counted—an increase from the previous year’s 73 albinos. Michelle Mastro, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025 The problem with animal islands Eastern gray squirrels continued their periodic decampments, fewer and fewer each year, until naturalists reported some of the last major ones in the 1960s. Christine Peterson, Vox, 23 Dec. 2024 The eastern gray squirrel will supplement its diet with insects, frogs, and bird eggs. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for gray squirrel

Word History

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gray squirrel was in 1674

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Cite this Entry

“Gray squirrel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gray%20squirrel. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

gray squirrel

noun
: a common light gray to black squirrel native to eastern North America and introduced into Europe
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