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

Warmer temperatures caused by climate change—especially during the winter—have allowed ticks and their host rodents to proliferate, reports Grist. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025

Church members were forced to gut and clean properties, remove bulk trash, clean sewage, move furniture, handle rodent infestations and shovel snow, the indictment says. —Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025

Set traps: Place traps in the garage to catch any rodents that get in. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025

While rodents, ants, and roaches are unwelcome guests, none match termites in their ability to quietly undermine the structural integrity of a house. —Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 13 May 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