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

To prevent injury, wrap tree bark in late fall and remove in early spring (this will also prevent rodent nibbling of the trunk). —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2024

Because the snakes eat small mammals—which are also the normal host animals for mosquitoes—a recent study found that the insects have had to find a new host: rodents. —Victoria Malloy, TIME, 15 Oct. 2024

One dog, Sami, is a Shibu Inu who works biosecurity to keep rodents out of South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands. —Discover Magazine, 14 Oct. 2024

Read more Keep scrolling Colonies of big-city rat experts work to outsmart rodent community. —Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA TODAY, 7 Oct. 2024

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