any small nocturnal Old World mammal of the genus Erinaceus, such as E. europaeus, and related genera, having a protective covering of spines on the back: family Erinaceidae, order Insectivora (insectivores)
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
hedge•hog /ˈhɛdʒˌhɑg, -ˌhɔg/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- Mammalsan insect-eating animal with spiny hairs on the back and sides.
hedge•hog
(hej′hog′, -hôg′),USA pronunciation n.
hedge′hog′gy, adj.
- Mammalsan Old World, insect-eating mammal of the genus Erinaceus, esp. E. europaeus, having spiny hairs on the back and sides.
- Mammalsthe porcupine.
- Military
- a portable obstacle made of crossed logs in the shape of an hourglass, usually laced with barbed wire.
- an obstructive device consisting of steel bars, angle irons, etc., usually embedded in concrete, designed to damage and impede the boats and tanks of a landing force on a beach.
- late Middle English heyghoge. See hedge, hog 1400–50
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'hedgehog' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
arriccio
- caprice
- echinus
- erinaceous
- gorse
- hedgehog cactus
- hedgehog gourd
- hurcheon
- quill
- teasel gourd
- urchin