roof

1 of 2

noun

plural roofs ˈrüfs How to pronounce roof (audio)
ˈru̇fs,
 also  ˈrüvz,
ˈru̇vz How to pronounce roof (audio)
1
a(1)
: the cover of a building
(2)
: material used for a roof : roofing
b
: the roof of a dwelling conventionally designating the home itself
didn't have a roof over my head
they share the same roof
2
a
: the highest point : summit
b
: an upper limit : ceiling
3
a
: the vaulted upper boundary of the mouth
b
: a covering structure of any of various parts of the body
roof of the skull
4
: something suggesting a roof: such as
a
: a canopy of leaves and branches
b
: the top over the passenger section of a vehicle
roofed
ˈrüft How to pronounce roof (audio)
ˈru̇ft
adjective
roofless
ˈrü-fləs How to pronounce roof (audio)
ˈru̇-
adjective
rooflike
ˈrüf-ˌlīk How to pronounce roof (audio)
ˈru̇f-
adjective

Illustration of roof

Illustration of roof
  • 1 gambrel
  • 2 mansard
  • 3 hip
  • 4 lean-to

roof

2 of 2

verb

roofed; roofing; roofs

transitive verb

1
a
: to cover with or as if with a roof
b
: to provide with a particular kind of roof or roofing
often used in combination
slate-roofed houses
2
: to constitute a roof over
roofer noun
Phrases
through the roof
: to an extremely or excessively high level
prices went through the roof

Examples of roof in a Sentence

Noun the roof of a car The roof of the old barn collapsed. He bit into a hot slice of pizza and burned the roof of his mouth. Verb fed and roofed the emergency volunteers for a week
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
As the venue prepares for its upcoming centennial, this work continues with projects like fixing the turquoise onion dome on the roof. Steven Satterfield, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 La Palma has one of the best bar spots in the entire island: Bianca, a new addition via this renovation, right on its roof, with superb views out across the main town—and cooling breezes all-too welcome on a warm night. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024 Two doors down was Viktor, who complained of repeatedly fixing holes in his roof from shelling. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 With a telescope, the show’s visitors can also peer across the gray roofs of Paris to Invader’s latest milestone: his 1,500th mosaic in the Olympic host city and its suburbs. John Leicester, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2024 Residents are asked to check their property for debris and damage, particularly the roof of their home or business. Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2024 Its jagged steel roof draws glowing light and creates angled shadows. Sam Lubell, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Faded gold and white stripes decorate the roof of beloved Sacramento restaurant Pancake Circus, resembling a circus tent. Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024 They were awakened when a Jeep plummeted off a 40-foot cliff and landed on its roof in the ocean’s rocky shallows. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024
Verb
Zetterlund, two minutes later, roofed a wrist shot on the rush over John Gibson's shoulder. Eric He, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2024 For those who've have had roof leaks during the winter, a different image come to mind. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Jan. 2024 In Denver, Colbert’s bathroom roof partly caved in from a leak last year, and the landlord delayed a fix even as rent went up $200 a month. Jesse Bedayn, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2024 In Denver, Colbert's bathroom roof partly caved in from a leak last year, and the landlord delayed a fix even as rent went up $200 a month. Jesse Bedayn and Michael Casey, Quartz, 7 Feb. 2024 LIke many other solar installers, his company now does roofing jobs and is considering expanding into Nevada and Arizona in search of customers. Julie Cart, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2024 Enlarge / The Notre-Dame de Paris has been under restoration since a devastating fire destroyed the main spire and roof in April 2019. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Jan. 2024 Washer and dryer in unit — plus doorman and roof access. Nora Deligter, Curbed, 8 Sep. 2023 Skies will be sunny, and with no rain in the forecast, expect the panels and roof to be open. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'roof.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hrōf; akin to Old Norse hrōf roof of a boathouse and perhaps to Old Church Slavonic stropŭ roof

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of roof was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near roof

Cite this Entry

“Roof.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roof. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

roof

1 of 2 noun
plural roofs ˈrüfs How to pronounce roof (audio) ˈru̇fs How to pronounce roof (audio)
ˈrüvz,
ˈru̇vz
1
a
: the upper covering part of a building
b
: a place to live : home
a roof over one's head
2
: the upper boundary of the mouth
3
: something resembling a roof in form, position, or purpose
roofed
ˈrüft How to pronounce roof (audio)
ˈru̇ft
adjective
roofless
ˈrüf-ləs How to pronounce roof (audio)
ˈru̇f-
adjective
rooflike adjective

roof

2 of 2 verb
1
: to cover with or as if with a roof
2
: to provide with roofing
roofer noun

Medical Definition

roof

noun
plural roofs
ˈrüfs, ˈru̇fs also ˈrüvz, ˈru̇vz
1
: the vaulted upper boundary of the mouth supported largely by the palatine bones and limited anteriorly by the dental lamina and posteriorly by the uvula and upper part of the fauces
2
: a covering structure of any of various parts of the body other than the mouth
roof of the skull
roof of the dental pulp chamber

More from Merriam-Webster on roof

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