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

Malls, for example, could be a food source for rodents due to the amount of retail shops and restaurants in those areas. —Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 18 Dec. 2025

The bacteria originate in rodents—ticks bite the animals and become carriers, and then the arachnids bite humans, sometimes passing the bacteria on. —Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025

The rodents can also cause rat-bite fever (RBF), which can produce flu-like symptoms such as fever, vomiting, muscle pain and possible rashes. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 2025

The capybara, also known as the carpincho, is a semiaquatic mammal native to South America that’s considered the world’s largest rodent. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 15 Dec. 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