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

See Examples For:

rodent rodents

The Hogsmill release last year marked the return of the rodent to the county after an absence of more than 20 years.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has cited Lineage for unsanitary and nuisance conditions related to rodent and pest control violations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

In response to an image of the rodent working on a laptop in a preschool classroom, one user commented: “Amelia has just screamed in excitement that it’s in the class.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

The team also suggested that owl pellets may have served as fuel, which could explain why the tiny rodent bones contained within them show signs of burning.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 24, 2026

“That you’re actually starting to like having a rodent poking around in your ear.”

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli

He looked around to find the missing shoe and noticed one of the plump rodents sneaking peaks at him from behind a log.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

Earlier studies found that flies and rodents lived longer when they consumed less protein, even when their overall calorie intake did not decline.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 2, 2026

The display also said the company had refused to address unsanitary conditions, including odors and the spread of flies and rodents into nearby properties.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

Due to the sentimental nature of the Chipmunks and the rocky licensing history, Bagdasarian and Karman have held tight to the IP, keeping the rodents off the big screen for more than a decade.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Small reptiles and rodents burrow or slide below the surface or cling to the shaded side of an outcropping.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck