1 fossorial | Definition of fossorial
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

fossorial

adjective
fos·​so·​ri·​al | \ fä-ˈsȯr-Ä“-É™l How to pronounce fossorial (audio) \

Definition of fossorial

: adapted to digging a fossorial foot

Examples of fossorial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Fossorial animals live underground, and nocturnal animals only come out at night. — Kellie Ann Benz, The Mercury News, "Bear or badger? Specialists can’t agree on Los Gatos backyard video," 4 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fossorial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of fossorial

1836, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for fossorial

Medieval Latin fossorius used for digging, from Latin fossor digger, from fodere

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on fossorial

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with fossorial

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!