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

At the request of a coalition of local governments, Central District Health announced Friday plans to spend up to $250,000 on a mix of mapping, trapping and testing possible solutions to stem the spread of rodents through the county. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026

In addition to be destructive, rodents can carry diseases and pose a public health risk. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado updated October 21, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Calorie reduction reliably improves health and lifespan in many organisms, including yeast, worms, flies and rodents. — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

The group has had community trapping parties and is even starting an app to locate these squatting rodents. — Julia Avant, CBS News, 20 Oct. 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