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guinea pig
noun
1
: a small stout-bodied short-eared tailless domesticated rodent (Cavia porcellus) of South American origin often kept as a pet and widely used in biological research
called also cavy
2
: a subject of research, experimentation, or testing
Examples of guinea pig in a Sentence
He volunteered to act as a guinea pig in the experiment.
Recent Examples on the Web
Janine and Gregory's costumes pay homage to Jurassic Park while Lisa Ann Walter's Melissa is dressed up like a guinea pig.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024
States are the laboratory of democracy, and Florida has the right to not be a corporate guinea pig.
—Jim Turner, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2024
Their yellow Labrador and four guinea pigs all died within months of each other.
—Genna Contino, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2024
Melissa concedes, agreeing to take in the guinea pig as long as Janine takes responsibility for caring for the animal.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near guinea pig
Cite this Entry
“Guinea pig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guinea%20pig. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
guinea pig
noun1
: a small stocky rodent with short ears and a very short tail that is often kept as a pet and is used in biological research
2
: a person or thing experimented on
Medical Definition
guinea pig
noun
guin·ea pig
ˈgin-ē-ˌ
: a small stout-bodied short-eared nearly tailless domesticated rodent of the genus Cavia (C. cobaya) often kept as a pet and widely used in biological research
called also cavy
More from Merriam-Webster on guinea pig
Nglish: Translation of guinea pig for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guinea pig
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