black-footed ferret

noun

: a rare weasel (Mustela nigripes) of western North American prairies having a yellowish coat, dark feet and facial mask, and a dark-tipped tail

Illustration of black-footed ferret

Illustration of black-footed ferret

Examples of black-footed ferret in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Ten black-footed ferrets have been reintroduced to the Aubrey Valley/Double O Ranch area, Arizona's only active recovery site for these elusive creatures, after years of intensive research and strategic intervention. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024 Wildlife conservationists are celebrating a big milestone reached by a little black-footed ferret and her offspring, born at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute earlier this year. Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2024 In 2020, conservationists achieved a major milestone with the birth of a black-footed ferret named Elizabeth Ann, who was the first clone of Willa. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 The search is on:Scouring the Arizona desert for black-footed ferrets 'Little vampires' try to adapt to habitat Prairie dogs make up roughly 90% of a black-footed ferret’s diet and provide their only source of shelter. Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for black-footed ferret 

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of black-footed ferret was in 1846

Dictionary Entries Near black-footed ferret

Cite this Entry

“Black-footed ferret.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black-footed%20ferret. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

black-footed ferret

noun
black-foot·​ed ferret
ˈblak-ˌfu̇t-əd-
: an endangered weasel of western North American prairies having a yellowish coat, black feet and face markings, and a black-tipped tail

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