noun
pika
PEE-kuh
Pika (noun) means a small, round-eared mammal related to rabbits rather than rodents, found in mountainous parts of North America and Asia. Example: “A pika darted between the rocks, its distinctive squeak echoing across the scree slope.”
noun
1
A small, round-eared mammal related to rabbits rather than rodents, found in mountainous parts of North America and Asia.
"A pika darted between the rocks, its distinctive squeak echoing across the scree slope."
"Pikas spend the summer gathering grass into little haypiles to survive the winter."
How to use pika
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tiny, tailless, rabbit-relative that lives on rocky mountainsides.
Common mistake
Not related to Pikachu directly, though the Pokémon's name was inspired by this animal plus the Japanese word for a spark.
Common pairings
a pika colony
the American pika
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Word forms
- Plural
- pikas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ darted between the rocks, its distinctive squeak echoing across the scree slope.
Etymology
Borrowed via French from a Siberian (Evenki) word for the animal, likely imitating its high-pitched call.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pika
See all rhymes for pika →Frequently asked questions
What does “pika” mean?
The word “pika” means a small, round-eared mammal related to rabbits rather than rodents, found in mountainous parts of North America and Asia. In plain terms, a tiny, tailless, rabbit-relative that lives on rocky mountainsides.
How do you pronounce “pika”?
“Pika” is pronounced PEE-kuh (/ˈpaɪkə/ in IPA).
How do you use “pika” in a sentence?
Here is “pika” used in a sentence: “A pika darted between the rocks, its distinctive squeak echoing across the scree slope.”
What part of speech is “pika”?
“Pika” is a noun.
Where does the word “pika” come from?
The word “pika” comes from French. Borrowed via French from a Siberian (Evenki) word for the animal, likely imitating its high-pitched call.
