groundhog
n. B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɡɹaʊndˌhɑɡ// UK //ɡɹˈaʊndhɒɡ// ground·hog
n. a large rodent with a short tail and a thick body. It is famous for its habit of digging long tunnels in the ground.
n. a large, burrowing rodent of the genus Marmota, characterized by a short tail and a stocky build. Often used in North American English to refer to the woodchuck specifically.
The groundhog dug a deep hole in the garden.
We saw a groundhog scurrying across the lawn as we walked our dogs in the morning.
The presence of a groundhog in the field often indicates a healthy ecosystem, as these burrowing animals aerate the soil and provide shelter for smaller creatures.
From ground + hog.