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

Flies in zappers and on onions, and rodents in restaurant storage area are among the problems in four Miami-Dade restaurants that have failed inspection. — David J. Neal july 10, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

The rodent may be apprehended, but its exploits will live on infamy. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 9 July 2026

It’s pretty commonly known, and not very startling, that free-ranging cats eat birds and small rodents. — Christopher A. Lepczyk, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

Two Fort Worth restaurants were temporarily closed following recent health inspections due to large rodents at one location and plumbing issues at another, according to the city’s inspection reports. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026

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