lemming

/ˈlɛmɪŋ/

/ˈlɛmɪŋ/

Other forms: lemmings

Definitions of lemming

1. noun

   any of various short-tailed furry-footed rodents of circumpolar distribution
   types:

   European lemming, Lemmus lemmus

   notable for mass migrations even into the sea where many drown

   Lemmus trimucronatus, brown lemming

   of northwestern Canada and Alaska

   gray lemming, grey lemming, red-backed lemming

   Old World lemming

   pied lemming

   North American lemming having a white winter coat and some claws much enlarged

   Synaptomys cooperi, southern bog lemming

   of low bogs and meadows of northeastern and central United States and southern Canada

   Synaptomys borealis, northern bog lemming

   of wet alpine and subalpine meadows of Canada and Alaska

   Dicrostonyx hudsonius, Hudson bay collared lemming

   of northern Canada

   type of:

   gnawer, rodent

   relatively small placental mammals having a single pair of constantly growing incisor teeth specialized for gnawing