river rat noun3 •A rat that lives on or along a river. •(offensive) A lower-class person living on or along a river.The river rat he fought was one of a gang of them lolling under the eaves of the porthouse, probably waiting for a gaming house to open. — 1989 •(disapproving) A poker player that wins a Texas Hold'em hand by making the winning hand on the river card. formsriver rats