meadow vole: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “meadow vole” mean?
A small, stocky rodent (Microtus pennsylvanicus) with a short tail, commonly found in grassy fields and meadows of North America.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, stocky rodent (Microtus pennsylvanicus) with a short tail, commonly found in grassy fields and meadows of North America.
Used more broadly to refer to similar vole species inhabiting open grassland ecosystems; sometimes invoked in ecological contexts as a model species for studying population dynamics or as a key prey animal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the term 'field vole' (Microtus agrestis) is the more common equivalent for a similar ecological niche. 'Meadow vole' is primarily a North American species designation.
Connotations
In American English, it is a standard zoological term. In British English, it may be recognized as a North American species.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English texts concerning North American wildlife.
Grammar
How to Use “meadow vole” in a Sentence
The meadow vole [verb e.g., inhabits, consumes]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Unlikely, except in environmental consulting or pest control reports.
Academic
Common in ecology, zoology, and environmental science papers.
Everyday
Rare; used mainly by naturalists, gardeners, or in regions where the animal is prevalent.
Technical
Standard term in wildlife biology, species inventories, and ecological research.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meadow vole”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meadow vole”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meadow vole”
- Pronouncing 'vole' to rhyme with 'pole' (it rhymes with 'hole').
- Confusing it with a 'mole' (which is insectivorous and has different physical features).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while similar in appearance to some mice, voles belong to a different subfamily (Arvicolinae) and have stouter bodies, shorter tails, and different behavioural traits.
They are native to North America, predominantly in Canada and the northern United States, inhabiting moist grasslands, meadows, and sometimes agricultural fields.
They can be, as they sometimes damage crops, gardens, and orchards by girdling trees and eating plant roots, but they are also a vital part of the food web.
It is pronounced /voʊl/ in American English (rhyming with 'hole') and /vəʊl/ in British English.
A small, stocky rodent (Microtus pennsylvanicus) with a short tail, commonly found in grassy fields and meadows of North America.
Meadow vole is usually technical/scientific in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a vole making a MEADOW its WHOLE home.
Conceptual Metaphor
A symbol of prolific reproduction and population cycles in ecology (e.g., 'breeding like voles').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary scientific context for the term 'meadow vole'?