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

Despite being better known as rabbit fever, it can be spread through tick bites, as well as through bites from infected rabbits and rodents. — Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Shanghai Dynasty at 1301 Custer Road Suite 450 was required to close July 21 after several fresh rodent droppings were found. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026

Petsense offers pet toys and food, grooming supplies, and a small assortment of rodents, reptiles, and fish. — Gabe Hauari, Florida Times-Union, 30 July 2026

Reducing mosquito menace While dangerous predators and disease-spreading rodents often dominate popular fear, the tiny Anopheles mosquito is actually history’s deadliest creature. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 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