Illustration of porcupine
porcupine
noun
por·cu·pine
ˈpȯr-kyə-ˌpīn 
plural porcupines also porcupine
: any of various relatively large slow-moving chiefly herbivorous rodents having sharp erectile spines mingled with the hair and constituting an Old World terrestrial family (Hystricidae) and a New World chiefly arboreal family (Erethizontidae)
Examples of porcupine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Again did introduce Anguirus, a recurring kaiju that looks like a cross between a horned herbivore dinosaur and a porcupine.
—
Katie Rife, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024
What to know about porcupines The North American porcupine is the second-largest rodent in North America, after the beaver, according to Zoo Idaho.
—Helena Wegner, Idaho Statesman, 22 Feb. 2024
This does not leave much available area for the porcupine to move around, let alone use the bathroom multiple times and still be able to avoid his excreta.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Feb. 2024
Many social media users had the correct answer: a porcupine.
—Helena Wegner, Idaho Statesman, 22 Feb. 2024
Coyotes – along with jackrabbits, raccoons, red foxes, porcupines, and skunks — are classified as non-game species in Wyoming, which means there are no bag limits, and they can be taken year-round without a license.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 31 Jan. 2024
In this cafe alone, in Seoul’s trendy university district Hongdae, there are more than 40 species – including porcupines, snakes, foxes and ferrets – according to a sign on the door advertising it as a unique date spot.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2024
But the desert is for creatures more elusive still: wild dogs, cheetahs, aardvarks, brown hyenas, porcupine, and pangolins.
—Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 28 Nov. 2023
Other animals: Giraffe, alpaca, dromedary camel, Bactrian camel, hyena, porcupine, prairie dogs, hornbill birds, curassow birds, capybara, lion, horses, Grévy’s zebra, Indian rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, llama, anoa, African buffalo, bontebok and cassowary.
—Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2023
Katie Rife, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024
What to know about porcupines The North American porcupine is the second-largest rodent in North America, after the beaver, according to Zoo Idaho.
—Helena Wegner, Idaho Statesman, 22 Feb. 2024
This does not leave much available area for the porcupine to move around, let alone use the bathroom multiple times and still be able to avoid his excreta.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Feb. 2024
Many social media users had the correct answer: a porcupine.
—Helena Wegner, Idaho Statesman, 22 Feb. 2024
Coyotes – along with jackrabbits, raccoons, red foxes, porcupines, and skunks — are classified as non-game species in Wyoming, which means there are no bag limits, and they can be taken year-round without a license.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 31 Jan. 2024
In this cafe alone, in Seoul’s trendy university district Hongdae, there are more than 40 species – including porcupines, snakes, foxes and ferrets – according to a sign on the door advertising it as a unique date spot.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2024
But the desert is for creatures more elusive still: wild dogs, cheetahs, aardvarks, brown hyenas, porcupine, and pangolins.
—Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 28 Nov. 2023
Other animals: Giraffe, alpaca, dromedary camel, Bactrian camel, hyena, porcupine, prairie dogs, hornbill birds, curassow birds, capybara, lion, horses, Grévy’s zebra, Indian rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, llama, anoa, African buffalo, bontebok and cassowary.
—Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'porcupine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English porke despyne, from Middle French porc espin, from Old Italian porcospino, from Latin porcus pig + spina spine, prickle
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of porcupine was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing porcupine
Dictionary Entries Near porcupine
Cite this Entry
“Porcupine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porcupine. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
porcupine
noun
por·cu·pine
ˈpȯr-kyə-ˌpīn
: any of various rather large slow-moving mostly plant-eating rodents with stiff sharp quills among the hairs on the body
Geographical Definition
Porcupine
geographical name
river 448 miles (721 kilometers) long in northern Yukon and northeastern Alaska flowing north and west into the Yukon River
More from Merriam-Webster on porcupine
Nglish: Translation of porcupine for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of porcupine for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about porcupine
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