Illustration of gopher
- gopher 2a
1
: a burrowing land tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) of the southern U.S.
broadly
: any of several related land tortoises
called also gopher tortoise
2
a
: any of a family (Geomyidae) of burrowing rodents of western North America, Central America, and the southern U.S. that are the size of a large rat and have large cheek pouches opening beside the mouth
called also pocket gopher
b
: any of several small ground squirrels (genus Spermophilus) of the prairie region of North America
3
go·pher
less common spelling of gofer
informal
: an employee whose duties include running errands : lackey
Examples of gopher in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025
The 360-acre preserve adjacent to the LEC and Deltona Regional Library is home to a variety of wildlife, including Florida scrub jays and gopher tortoises, which are drawn to the low vegetation and sandy ridges of the scrub habitat.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
As Ramis explained, after Michael O'Keefe shames Ted Knight by making the game-winning putt (thanks to Bill Murray setting off explosives in pursuit of a pesky gopher), there was going to be two little wrap-up moments.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 25 July 2025
The word is unrelated to the animal gopher, though the similar spelling often causes confusion.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gopher
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.
Noun
Gray foxes keep gopher, vole, ground squirrel, rat and mice populations in check.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025
The 360-acre preserve adjacent to the LEC and Deltona Regional Library is home to a variety of wildlife, including Florida scrub jays and gopher tortoises, which are drawn to the low vegetation and sandy ridges of the scrub habitat.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
As Ramis explained, after Michael O'Keefe shames Ted Knight by making the game-winning putt (thanks to Bill Murray setting off explosives in pursuit of a pesky gopher), there was going to be two little wrap-up moments.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 25 July 2025
The word is unrelated to the animal gopher, though the similar spelling often causes confusion.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gopher
Cite this Entry
“Gopher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gopher. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share