1
: any of an order (Rodentia) of relatively small gnawing mammals (such 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 (such as a rabbit or a shrew) other than a true rodent
rodent
adjective
Examples of rodent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His results in rodents hint that excessive parental opioid use may alter gene expression in ways that put children at risk for the same.
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Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
Polar bears will also snack on fish, eggs, kelp, berries, reindeer, rodents and shellfish.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rodent 
Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
Polar bears will also snack on fish, eggs, kelp, berries, reindeer, rodents and shellfish.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rodent
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rodent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Rodent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rodent. Accessed 5 May. 2024.
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rodent
noun
ro·dent
ˈrōd-ᵊnt 
: any mammal (as a mouse or rat) of the order Rodentia
rodent
adjective
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