Illustration of hedgehog
- hedgehog 1a
1
a
: any of a subfamily (Erinaceinae) of Eurasian and African nocturnal insectivores that have both hair and spines which they present outwardly by rolling themselves up when threatened
b
: any of several spiny mammals (such as a porcupine)
2
a
: a military defensive obstacle (as of barbed wire)
b
: a well-fortified military stronghold
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There are 14 species of hedgehogs. All prefer animal food, such as insects, but will eat plant material. There are nine species of spiny hedgehogs. They have short, barbless spines on the back, a round body, small head, pointed face, and little or no tail, and range from 4 in (10 cm) to 17 in (44 cm) long. Spiny hedgehogs are native to Britain, North Africa, and Asia; one species was introduced into New Zealand. There are five species of hairy hedgehog; all are Asian. They have coarse guard hairs, but no spines and are extremely malodorous. The common hairy hedgehog may be 18 in (46 cm) long and have a 12-in (30 cm) tail.
Examples of hedgehog in a Sentence
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Owners of mice, rats, gerbils, sugar gliders and even hedgehogs have found wheels to be valuable cage additions.
—
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 July 2025
After coming to America, German settlers in Pennsylvania continued the tradition and made the switch from hedgehogs to groundhogs, which were plentiful in the state.
—Joyce Orlando, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Feb. 2025
According to research published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, the possum was only the size of a modern-day hedgehog but was gigantic in comparison to other possum species at the time.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2025
The fox knows that bit of this, bit of that, and hedgehog really digs deep.
—Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 15 May 2025
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Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 July 2025
After coming to America, German settlers in Pennsylvania continued the tradition and made the switch from hedgehogs to groundhogs, which were plentiful in the state.
—Joyce Orlando, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Feb. 2025
According to research published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, the possum was only the size of a modern-day hedgehog but was gigantic in comparison to other possum species at the time.
—Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2025
The fox knows that bit of this, bit of that, and hedgehog really digs deep.
—Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hedgehog
Cite this Entry
“Hedgehog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hedgehog. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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