a reddish-brown squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris, inhabiting woodlands of Europe and parts of Asia
2. American red squirrel
red squirrel in American English
US
a common North American tree squirrel (genus Tamiasciurus) with reddish fur
red squirrel in American English
noun
a reddish squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, of North America
Also called: chickaree
Word origin
[1630–40, Amer.]This word is first recorded in the period 1630–40. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: cachet, graphic, indulge, platoon, seesaw