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

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

• rodent-like adjective
• rodentlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of rodent

1825–35; < New Latin Rodentia Rodentia

Example Sentences

The team measured the stress hormone corticosterone in the rats, which is the rodent equivalent of the human stress hormone cortisol.

From Science Daily

Top spot goes to the Californian mouse - rodents that form inseparable, lifelong bonds.

From BBC

These burrow-dwelling rats have a maximum life span of nearly 40 years, making them the world's longest-lived rodent.

From BBC

Like many members of the wolf snake group, they are non-venomous and likely prey on small vertebrates such as reptiles, amphibians and rodents.

From Science Daily

The disease was caused by a bacterium known as Yersinia pestis spread by wild rodents, such as rats, and fleas.

From BBC