guinea pig
noun
1
: a small stout-bodied short-eared tailless domesticated rodent (Cavia porcellus) of South American origin often kept as a pet and widely used in biological research
called also cavy
2
: a subject of research, experimentation, or testing
Examples of guinea pig in a Sentence
He volunteered to act as a guinea pig in the experiment.
Recent Examples on the Web
Deployed on sure-to-be-fatal missions, he's also put to use as a guinea pig in experiments that would make even a vivisectionist wince.
—
Tom Gliatto, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
The form seems potentially related to her future as a human guinea pig, though the specifics remain murky.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
However, the two guinea pigs should be reunited slowly and gradually.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Sometimes love is felt from having pets, dogs, or cats, and even guinea pigs or hamsters.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guinea pig
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Tom Gliatto, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025
The form seems potentially related to her future as a human guinea pig, though the specifics remain murky.
—Megan McCluskey, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
However, the two guinea pigs should be reunited slowly and gradually.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Sometimes love is felt from having pets, dogs, or cats, and even guinea pigs or hamsters.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for guinea pig
Cite this Entry
“Guinea pig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guinea%20pig. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
guinea pig
noun
guin·ea pig
ˈgin-ē-ˌ 
: a small stout-bodied short-eared nearly tailless domesticated rodent of the genus Cavia (C. cobaya) often kept as a pet and widely used in biological research
called also cavy
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