cockroach
noun
cock·roach
ˈkäk-ˌrōch 
: any of an order or suborder (Blattodea synonym Blattaria) of chiefly nocturnal insects including some that are domestic pests compare german cockroach
Examples of cockroach in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Moss can provide shelter for insects like beetles, spiders, ants, cockroaches, and worms.
—
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2026
Against a Connecticut team more difficult to kill than a cockroach in body armor and their leading scorer hobbling around with a knee sprain, ankle sprain and bone bruise, the Wolverines gutted out every point in their 69-63 national championship victory.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
If the food— ants, termites, cockroaches or whatever—are eliminated, spiders will find somewhere else to live.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
Workers described living in overcrowded containers infested with cockroaches and bedbugs, with access to only one or two showers per year and in some cases just a single day off annually.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cockroach
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.
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2026
Against a Connecticut team more difficult to kill than a cockroach in body armor and their leading scorer hobbling around with a knee sprain, ankle sprain and bone bruise, the Wolverines gutted out every point in their 69-63 national championship victory.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
If the food— ants, termites, cockroaches or whatever—are eliminated, spiders will find somewhere else to live.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
Workers described living in overcrowded containers infested with cockroaches and bedbugs, with access to only one or two showers per year and in some cases just a single day off annually.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cockroach
Cite this Entry
“Cockroach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cockroach. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cockroach
noun
cock·roach
-ˌrōch
: any of an order of quick-moving insects that have long antennae and leathery forewings, are mainly nocturnal, and include pests of human dwellings
Medical Definition
cockroach
noun
cock·roach
ˈkäk-ˌrōch
: any of an order or suborder (Blattodea synonym Blattaria) of chiefly nocturnal insects including some that are domestic pests see blatta, blattella, periplaneta
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
