pika
noun
pi·ka
| \ ˈpē-kə
, ˈpī-
\
, ˈpī-
\
Definition of pika
: any of various short-eared small lagomorph mammals (family Ochotonidae) of rocky uplands of Asia and western North America with relatively short hind legs
— called also coney, rock rabbit
Illustration of pika
Examples of pika in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On June 7, this story was updated to correct inaccuracies about the American pika. — Liz Langley, National Geographic, "What is extinction? The answer is complicated.," 29 May 2019 The American pika, a cold-loving relative of rabbits, is often erroneously reported to be moving to higher locations as the climate warms. — Liz Langley, National Geographic, "What is extinction? The answer is complicated.," 29 May 2019 Native to the Tianshan Mountains of northwestern China, the Ili pika was discovered in 1983, and few have shown their squeal-worthy faces since. — National Geographic, "Rare Bunny-Faced Mammal Captured on Video," 14 June 2018 Members of the public interested in joining the pika watch can register with the zoo online. — Kale Williams, OregonLive.com, "Oregon Zoo to lead study of vulnerable pika in wake of Eagle Creek Fire," 16 Mar. 2018 The American pika, a relative of the rabbit, is usually found at high elevations. — Kale Williams, OregonLive.com, "Oregon Zoo to lead study of vulnerable pika in wake of Eagle Creek Fire," 16 Mar. 2018 In Zion, as maximum temperatures in the summer have risen, the heat-intolerant American pika, a tiny mammal related to rabbits, has disappeared. — Dino Grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: GOP lawmakers pressed Trump to waive Jones Act for Puerto Rico," 28 Sep. 2017 The common dishes are red rice, barbecue ribs, tinaktak, kadun pika, kelaguen, eskabeche, pancit, japchae, potato salad, poke, lumpia, adobo and of course, the military-menu staple, Spam. — Author: Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Alaska Dispatch News, "These are the answers to all the questions you suddenly have about Guam," 11 Aug. 2017 An animal, probably a pika, had eaten about a dozen quarter-sized holes into Kostanich’s shirt. — Evan Bush, The Seattle Times, "A HISTORIC ADVENTURE From Snoqualmie Pass to Canada in 34 days — on skis," 14 June 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pika.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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