water rat

noun

1
: a rodent that frequents water
2
: a waterfront loafer or petty thief

Examples of water rat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The researchers think competition for food caused the disappearance of teeth in the platypus—the spread of the Australo-New Guinean water rat may have affected which prey platypuses hunted for. — Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 7 June 2024 Scientists suspect the creatures’ diets changed because of the arrival of a new competitor, the Australian water rat, or rakali, reports the Sydney Morning Herald’s Angus Dalton. — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of water rat was in the 15th century

Rhymes for water rat

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Browse Nearby Words

water ram
water rat
water rate
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Cite this Entry

“Water rat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20rat. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

water rat

noun
: a rodent that is found in or near water

More from Merriam-Webster on water rat

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about water rat

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