Word
rodent
Phoneticsro·dent, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹoʊdənt/
UK/ɹˈəʊdənt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small mammal with strong front teeth that it uses for biting and chewing things. Common examples include mice, rats, and squirrels.
n. any of a diverse group of mammals characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws.
Examples
“A small rodent was chewing on the wooden fence.”
“The warehouse manager called an exterminator after finding evidence that a rodent had nested in the grain sacks.”
“While many people view any urban rodent as a pest, these animals play a vital role in the ecosystem by dispersing seeds and serving as a primary food source for birds of prey.”
Examples
simple
“A small rodent was chewing on the wooden fence.”
contextual
“The warehouse manager called an exterminator after finding evidence that a rodent had nested in the grain sacks.”
complex
“While many people view any urban rodent as a pest, these animals play a vital role in the ecosystem by dispersing seeds and serving as a primary food source for birds of prey.”
Usage
Often used as a collective term in biological or pest-control contexts.
Real-World Examples
“Research labs at NYU lost their lab animals during the storm; the news reported them dead, but rumours spread that the rodent population of the city had grown by 10,000 transgenic mice and rats.” “In total, the rodents lacked about 14m mouse brain cells and ended up with about 4m human ones – half the brain by volume.” Etymology
From Latin rōdēns, rōdent- (“gnawer; one who gnaws”), present participle of rōdō (“to gnaw”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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