Norway rat

American  

noun

1. an Old World rat, Rattus norvegicus, having a grayish-brown body with whitish underparts and a long, scaly tail, now common in the U.S. in or near homes, barns, wharves, etc.

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Norway rat British  

noun

1. another name for brown rat

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Etymology

Origin of Norway rat

First recorded in 1745–55

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Norway rat

This species “should be a dreamy candidate for de-extinction,” McCauley says, given its close relationship with the Norway rat, a well-studied lab animal with a complete genome sequence that scientists already know how to modify.

From Science Magazine ● Mar. 9, 2022

To catch another sizeable rodent, the Norway rat, however, a New Yorker can go to the hardware store around the corner and purchase a glue board.

From Salon ● Jan. 12, 2022

The Norway rat is an animal full of contradictions, starting with its common name.

From New York Times ● Jan. 31, 2017

The culprit — known as the Norway rat or brown rat — can grow to 15 inches long, not including tail, and weigh over a pound.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 23, 2016

There are two kinds of rats known in this country, the black, which was formerly very common, but is now rarely seen, being superseded by the large brown kind, commonly called the Norway rat.

From The Cries of London Exhibiting Several of the Itinerant Traders of Antient and Modern Times by John Thomas Smith

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