black rat

American  

noun

1. an Old World rat, Rattus rattus, now common in the southern U.S., having a black or brown body with grayish or white underparts.

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black rat British  

noun

1. a common rat, Rattus rattus : a household pest that has spread from its native Asia to all countries

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Etymology

Origin of black rat

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

black rat

Outbreaks there are associated with agriculture, deforestation, the black rat -- and fleas.

From Science Daily ● May 1, 2024

The black rat was one of the most capable animal hosts for the plague-carrying fleas.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023

On Anacapa, the problem was a different animal: the common black rat.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 6, 2023

There is the black rat or roof rat, with a tail nearly always longer than its body.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 13, 2023

Lyra lifted Pantalaimon close to her breast, and he became a black rat, whipping his tail around and around her wrist and glaring at Sir Charles with red eyes.

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman