mole rat
Americannoun
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any of several eastern European burrowing rodents, especially those of the genus Spalax, having no tail, short limbs, and small eyes with permanently closed lids.
noun
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any burrowing molelike African rodent of the family Bathyergidae
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any similar rodent, esp any member of the genus Spalax, of Asia and North Africa: family Spalacidae
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the bandicoot rat See bandicoot
Etymology
Origin of mole rat
First recorded in 1775–85
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The mice carrying the naked mole rat gene stayed healthier overall, lived longer than regular mice, had less inflammation in multiple tissues as they aged, and maintained better gut health.
From Science Daily • May 10, 2026
A new study of the bizarre naked mole rat shows that the animals have evolved a DNA repair mechanism that could explain their longevity.
From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025
The sociable, or eusocial, nature of naked mole rat communities means they're basically all siblings or cousins.
From Salon • May 11, 2025
He started in 2006 with the naked mole rat and has since photographed thousands more, including the Indochinese green magpie, the Arabian cobra, and the güiña, a small spotted cat from South America.
From National Geographic • Nov. 28, 2023
My sister, the basement mole rat, was smarter than me?
From "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
