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.

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noun

rodents plural

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

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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.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• rodent-like
  adjective
• rodentlike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• rodents
  plural

Etymology

Origin of rodent

1825–35; < New Latin Rodentia Rodentia

Explanation

A rodent is any of an order of (usually) small, furry, gnawing mammals whose two pairs of front teeth — one pair in the upper jaw, and one in the lower — never stop growing. Mice, rats, and squirrels are rodents, and so are larger mammals like beavers, porcupines, and capybaras. The term rodent sometimes has a negative connotation, as people associate some rodents, especially mice and rats, with carrying diseases or being pests. But many people keep rodents, such as gerbils and hamsters, as pets. And rodents are an important part of ecosystems. Beavers build dams that create wetland habitats for fish and other creatures, and small rodents like mice are an important food source for some birds, snakes, and mammals. In traditional Chinese culture, rats are associated with cleverness, adaptability, and prosperity.

Example Sentences

Rodent issues at Angel Stadium had ceased since a 2007 report in The Times that the stadium had been cited 118 times for vermin violations in the previous two years.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

The study, "Reproductive Risk of Neonicotinoids: A Review of Male Rodent Studies," was published in the December 2025 issue of the Journal of Environmental Research.

From Science Daily • Nov. 8, 2025

Wendy Fleming, who recently moved to Rochdale from Ireland, half-jokingly suggests that the Monster Raving Loony Party candidate Ravin Rodent Subortna seems to be the only one talking sense.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2024

Rodent droppings littered the facility, including on and around containers of meat.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 30, 2023

"Now we come to the largest family of the Rodent order, the Rat family, which of course includes the Mice," said Old Mother Nature, after calling school to order at the old meeting-place.

From The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Burgess, Thornton W. (Thornton Waldo)