star-nosed mole

noun

ˈstär-ˌnōz(d)- How to pronounce star-nosed mole (audio)
: a common black long-tailed semiaquatic mole (Condylura cristata) of the northeastern U.S. and adjacent Canada that has a series of pink fleshy projections surrounding the nostrils

Illustration of star-nosed mole

Illustration of star-nosed mole

Examples of star-nosed mole 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.
In particular, the native inhabitants of Niflheim, which look like a cross between giant woodlice and star-nosed moles and yet are capable of being cute, bring to mind Okja’s super pigs, especially when one of the babies is imperiled. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2025 Both the Iberian mole and the star-nosed mole have a piece of DNA inverted in a region that’s key to the regulation of this gene. — Alejandra Manjarrez, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of star-nosed mole was in 1825

Rhymes for star-nosed mole

See All Rhymes for star-nosed mole

Browse Nearby Words

starnie
star-nosed mole
star nut palm
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Star-nosed mole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/star-nosed%20mole. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

star-nosed mole

noun
ˈstär-nōzd-
: a black long-tailed mole of the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada that is found near or in water and has a bunch of pink fleshy projections surrounding the nostrils which are used as feelers in searching for food

More from Merriam-Webster on star-nosed mole

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about star-nosed mole

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All