First Known Use: 1835
Dictionary
rodent
noun ro·dent \ˈrō-dənt\
: a small animal (such as a mouse, rat, squirrel, or beaver) that has sharp front teeth
Full Definition of RODENT
1
: any of an order (Rodentia) of relatively small gnawing mammals (as a mouse, squirrel, or beaver) that have in both jaws a single pair of incisors with a chisel-shaped edge
2
: a small mammal (as a rabbit or a shrew) other than a true rodent
— rodent adjective
See rodent defined for English-language learners
See rodent defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of RODENT
ultimately from Latin rodent-, rodens, present participle of rodere to gnaw; akin to Latin radere to scrape, scratch, Sanskrit radati he gnaws
RODENT Defined for Kids
rodent
noun ro·dent \ˈrō-dənt\
Definition of RODENT for Kids
: a usually small mammal (as a squirrel, rat, mouse, or beaver) with sharp front teeth used in gnawing
Medical Dictionary
rodent
noun ro·dent \ˈrōd-ənt\
Medical Definition of RODENT
: any mammal (as a mouse or rat) of the order Rodentia
—rodent adjective
Learn More About RODENT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: rodentialPrevious Word in the Dictionary: rode gooseAll Words Near: rodent
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up rodent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).