hedgehog
noun
hedge·hog
| \ ˈhej-ˌhȯg
, -ˌhäg\
, -ˌhäg\
Definition of hedgehog
1a
: any of a subfamily (Erinaceinae) of Eurasian and African nocturnal insectivores that have both hair and spines which they present outwardly by rolling themselves up when threatened
b
: any of several spiny mammals (such as a porcupine)
2a
: a military defensive obstacle (as of barbed wire)
b
: a well-fortified military stronghold
Illustration of hedgehog
hedgehog 1a
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Examples of hedgehog in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Meet everything from alligators to axolotls to hedgehogs, all locally bred and ready to meet exotic animal enthusiasts. — Anchorage Daily News, "Fun things this week: Elle King at the state fair, Queen sing-along and reptiles for the whole family," 29 Aug. 2019 American Airlines banned several types of creatures, including hedgehogs, goats, ferrets, chickens, birds of prey and snakes. — Hugo Martin, Los Angeles Times, "Airlines can’t bar pit bulls or other breeds from cabins, feds say," 8 Aug. 2019 His introduction to image boards, and the eventual founding of 8chan, would not have happened without the video game character Sonic, the anthropomorphic, super speedy blue hedgehog. — Timothy Mclaughlin, WIRED, "The Weird, Dark History of 8chan," 6 Aug. 2019 Taranow is the president of Symton BSF, where the larvae of black soldier flies are harvested and sold as food for exotic pets such as lizards, birds, even hedgehogs. — Christopher Ingraham, Washington Post, "Maggots: A taste of food’s future," 3 July 2019 If a woman was seen talking to or looking at ferrets, hedgehogs, mice, rats, rabbits, squirrels, weasels, snakes, owls, or insects, then that woman was a witch. — Longreads, "Demonology: A Woman’s Right to Fury," 10 June 2019 Damian Carrington at The Guardian reports that in the last 20 years, hedgehog numbers have dropped an astonishing 66 percent. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "The UK’s Hedgehogs (and Other Mammals) Are In Danger," 16 June 2018 But some snakes, rodents, and even hedgehogs can eat the toads and come out unscathed, thanks to genetic mutations that render the toxin harmless. — Katie Langin, Science | AAAS, "Toxic toads could devastate Madagascar’s biodiversity," 4 June 2018 Starting in July, American Airlines will ban ferrets, hedgehogs, and goats from their planes. — Greg Gutfeld, Fox News, "Gutfeld on new rules against comfort animals," 16 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hedgehog.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for hedgehog
hedgehog
noun
English Language Learners Definition of hedgehog
: a small, brown animal of Europe, Asia, and Africa that has sharp spines on its back and that can roll itself up into a ball
See the full definition for hedgehog in the English Language Learners Dictionary
hedgehog
noun
hedge·hog
| \ ˈhej-ˌhȯg
, -ˌhäg\
, -ˌhäg\
Kids Definition of hedgehog
1
: a mammal of Europe, Asia, and Africa that eats insects, has sharp spines mixed with the hair on its back, and is able to roll itself up into a ball when threatened
2
: porcupine
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