rodent

noun

ro·​dent ˈrō-dᵊnt 

1

: any of an order (Rodentia) of relatively small gnawing mammals (such as a mouse, squirrel, or beaver) that have in both jaws a single pair of incisors with a chisel-shaped edge

2

: a small mammal (such as a rabbit or a shrew) other than a true rodent

rodent adjective

Examples of rodent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In lab tests performed on mice with vitiligo, one group of the rodents received weekly EPS injections for a total of 18 weeks, while a control group was left untreated. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 9 Feb. 2025

Dogs in this group were first bred to go underground in pursuit of rodents and other vermin. —Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 7 Feb. 2025

This behavior evolved from their ancestors, whose prey—such as small rodents—was most active at these times. —Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025

Four Dallas restaurants failed health inspections for serious violations, and roaches and signs of rodents were found at other places to eat. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from the base of New Latin Rodentia, order name, from neuter plural of Latin rōdent-, rōdens, present participle of rōdere "to gnaw, nibble, eat away," perhaps going back to Indo-European *Hr̥h₃d-, *Hreh₃d-, whence also Hittite ardu- "saw (off)," Sanskrit rádati "(s/he) bites, gnaws, cuts, opens"

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rodent

• rodent ulcer

Kids Definition

rodent

noun

ro·​dent ˈrōd-ᵊnt 

: any of an order of fairly small mammals (as mice, squirrels, or beavers) that have sharp front teeth used for gnawing

rodent adjective

Etymology

derived from Latin rodent-, rodens, a form of rodere "to gnaw" — related to erode

Medical Definition

rodent

noun

ro·​dent ˈrōd-ᵊnt 

: any mammal (as a mouse or rat) of the order Rodentia

rodent adjective