flying squirrel

American

noun

any of various nocturnal tree squirrels, as Glaucomys volans, of the eastern U.S., having folds of skin connecting the fore and hind legs, permitting long, gliding leaps.

flying squirrel British

noun

any nocturnal sciurine rodent of the subfamily Petauristinae , of Asia and North America. Furry folds of skin between the forelegs and hind legs enable these animals to move by gliding leaps

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of flying squirrel

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He sailed out over the bottoms like a flying squirrel and lit in the top of a good-size bush.

From Literature

The area is home to San Bernardino flying squirrels and ash-gray Indian paintbrush, a federally protected plant found only in the San Bernardino Mountains.

From Los Angeles Times

The two sides of the fierce debate agree that barred and spotted owls compete for nesting sites and food — such as woodrats and northern flying squirrels.

From Los Angeles Times

Of course M3GAN will zip into a flying squirrel suit and go soaring over the trees.

From Los Angeles Times

Shadow did not step on one of his chicks, the organization wrote, nor did Jackie accidentally knock a chick from the nest while slapping away a flying squirrel.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023