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

The reason Irish Spring soap works well as a deterrent for bugs, rodents, and other unwelcome critters is the strong scent. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025

That’s because plague is an intricate disease system, with people, bacteria, fleas and multiple species of rodents all interacting in time and space. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025

The pathogen, originating from wild rodent populations in Central Asia, went on to cause the plague that devastated Europe. —Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025

Once in Europe, the fleas transferred to rodents and the Black Death began its infamous spread. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 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