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

But the city met stiff opposition to trapping or exterminating the rodents. —Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

But when males and females are present, there can be some hormonal cross-talk, especially in rodents, which can carry litters of a dozen or more pups. —Jon Hamilton, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024

This Amazonian freshwater environment was nutrient-rich and teeming with life, home to crocodilians, turtles and fish, as well as mammals such as sloths, rodents, ungulates and primates. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024

Outdoor cats’ food supply may also be increasing, as some prey, such as small rodents, may have population booms in warmer weather themselves. —Sachi Mulkey, WIRED, 23 Mar. 2024

But the majority of mammals are rodents and bats, which are underrepresented in these types of studies, per the paper. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024

More than two inches of mulch generally reduces water penetration to the roots, reduces air exchange with the roots, and can even provide a home for bark-gnawing rodents. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 8 Mar. 2024

Once safely back home, the rodents typically attempt to either eat the objects or add them to nests. —Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024

The scientists also report that the battery’s chemical byproducts, such as sodium ions, did not appear to affect the kidneys and livers of the rodents. —IEEE Spectrum, 27 Mar. 2024

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