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

Which in the mouse’s case also meant having to pause using it because this rodent's charging port is stashed on its underside. —Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 28 Oct. 2024

While rodents such as squirrels may chew small ragged marks on pumpkin skins, just one deer can eat most, if not all, of a large pumpkin in one visit. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024

In the video, the outline of what appears to be a large rodent’s front paws can be seen through the glass paneling on the ceiling of the cabin. —Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024

Animal studies have found that rodents given these medications reduced their intake of alcohol and other addictive drugs. —Alice Park, TIME, 22 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