rodent

American  

[rohd-nt] / ˈroʊd 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 British  

/ 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 Scientific  

/ rōd′nt /

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

• rodent-like adjective
• rodentlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of rodent

1825–35; < New Latin Rodentia Rodentia

Example Sentences

A giant barn owl, a type of rodent called a hutia, and a burrowing bee entered a cave.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

The actor claimed that the problems included “ongoing rodent issues” and having to make “repeated requests for repairs” for his bathroom and plumbing.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Neither simplistically optimistic nor preachy, “Hoppers” smuggles timely ideas inside a rodent body.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

There are several rodent studies that suggest some harms of doses, and several that do not.

From Slate • Mar. 5, 2026

Sometimes I thought of myself as a bug or a tiny rodent, slipping into places that the eye could not even see.

From "Milkweed" by Jerry Spinelli