- any rat of the genus Neotoma of W North America, having a long tail that is furry in some species: family Cricetidae
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ˈpack ˌrat, n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Mammalsan American rat noted for carrying off shiny articles to its nest.
- Informal Termsone who saves useless small items.
pack′ rat′,
- MammalsAlso called trade rat. a large, bushy-tailed rodent, Neotoma cinerea, of North America, noted for carrying off small articles to store in its nest.
- Informal Terms
- a person who collects, saves, or hoards useless small items.
- an old prospector or guide.
- 1840–50
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
pack rat n
'pack rat' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):