rodent

[rohd-nt]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the gnawing or nibbling mammals of the order Rodentia, including the mice, squirrels, beavers, etc.

noun

1. a rodent mammal.

rodent

/ ˈrəʊdənt /

noun

1. 1. any of the relatively small placental mammals that constitute the order Rodentia , having constantly growing incisor teeth specialized for gnawing. The group includes porcupines, rats, mice, squirrels, marmots, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      rodent characteristics

rodent

1. Any of various very numerous, mostly small mammals of the order Rodentia, having large front teeth used for gnawing. The teeth grow throughout the animal's life, and are kept from getting too long by gnawing. Rodents make up about half the living species of mammals, and include rats, mice, beavers, squirrels, lemmings, shrews, and hamsters.

Other Word Forms

• rodentlike adjective
• rodent-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rodent¹

1825–35; < New Latin Rodentia Rodentia

Word History and Origins

Origin of rodent¹

C19: from Latin rōdere to gnaw, corrode

Example Sentences

He has turned more than half his farm over to a wildlife reserve where ostriches, deer and giant rodents called capybaras roam, and on the remainder practices sustainable farming.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Four mice -- two male and two female -- will join them as the subjects of China's first in-orbit experiments on rodents.

Read more on Barron's

The droppings of rodents and birds and every other animal act as a natural fertilizer.

Read more on Literature

Donkeys, including a couple, Clyde and Opal, patrol the vineyards to fend off coyotes, while chickens and sheep rotate through the rows, and hawks and owls are nurtured to deter rodents.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This enormous nocturnal rodent, one of the largest in the world, lives high in the cool, mist-covered forests and grasslands around 3,700 meters above sea level.

Read more on Science Daily