Illustration of muskrat
muskrat
noun
musk·rat
ˈməsk-ˌrat 
plural muskrat or muskrats
: an aquatic rodent (Ondatra zibethicus) of the U.S. and Canada with a long scaly laterally compressed tail, webbed hind feet, and dark glossy brown fur
also
: its fur or pelt
Examples of muskrat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Painter and Jensen have seen beavers, muskrats, pond turtles, deer and black bears roaming the grounds.
—
David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025
Even in her early twenties, Long held staunch opinions on stocking colors and children’s frocks, Christmas cards and muskrat coats.
—The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2025
Imagine a pale roly-poly the size of a muskrat wandering the seafloor.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
The muskrats are depended on by bald eagles, and muskrats are probably the biggest consumer of the freshwater mussels.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muskrat
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.
David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025
Even in her early twenties, Long held staunch opinions on stocking colors and children’s frocks, Christmas cards and muskrat coats.
—The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2025
Imagine a pale roly-poly the size of a muskrat wandering the seafloor.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
The muskrats are depended on by bald eagles, and muskrats are probably the biggest consumer of the freshwater mussels.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muskrat
Cite this Entry
“Muskrat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muskrat. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
muskrat
noun
musk·rat
ˈməs-ˌkrat
plural muskrat or muskrats
: a North American rodent that lives in or near the water, has a long scaly tail and webbed hind feet, and glossy usually dark brown fur
also
: its fur or pelt
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share