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

There were 10 old rodent droppings on top of the surplus rack of glassware, the containers of powder cleaner and top of a pot lid. —Sacbee.com, 27 Nov. 2025

Cats may encounter rodents; dogs can be exposed through backyard wildlife or owners’ shoes. —Henry I. Miller, Boston Herald, 25 Nov. 2025

More beaver data needed Abundant beaver populations roamed Colorado before European settlement and the arrival of trappers seeking the rodents for their pelts. —Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 24 Nov. 2025

The roach comes with a donation of $10, $25 for a rodent, and there’s a vegetable option for $5. —Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 22 Nov. 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