roller

1 of 2

noun (1)

roll·​er ˈrō-lər 

1

a

: a revolving cylinder over or on which something is moved or which is used to press, shape, spread, or smooth something

b

: a cylinder or rod on which something (such as a shade) is rolled up

2

a

: a long heavy ocean wave

b

: tumbler sense 1b

3

: one that rolls or performs a rolling operation

4

: a slowly rolling ground ball

roller

2 of 2

noun (2)

rol·​ler ˈrō-lər 

1

: any of various mostly brightly colored nonpasserine Old World birds (family Coraciidae) that perform rolling aerial dives during courtship displays

2

: a canary having a song in which the notes are soft and run together

Examples of roller in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The anniversary event featured roller-skating servers, a DJ, and Cybercabs, despite local roadwork and a recent water main burst causing traffic challenges. — Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Each video posted by ADOR today is accompanied by an instrumental and footage of the members engaged in various activities, among them roller skating, hanging in the park, sewing, and standing together looking shy. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026

Once a week or more often, turn the device over to check it, paying attention to the opening that leads from the roller compartment to the dustbin compartment to make sure there’s no dirt or debris lodged there. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 20 July 2026

But for a room that is mostly walls, an 18-inch roller with an extension is definitely your best bet. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 20 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

German, from rollen to roll, reverberate, from Middle French roller — more at roll

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing roller

• high roller
• leaf roller
• lint roller
• road roller
• rock and roller
• roller bearing
• roller-coaster
• roller rink
• roller skate
• roller towel
• stone roller

Rhymes for roller

• bowler
• dolor
• molar
• polar
• solar
• soler
• stroller
• troller
• volar
• ambipolar
• areolar
• bronchiolar

Kids Definition

roller

noun

roll·​er

ˈrō-lər

1

a

: a turning cylinder over or on which something is moved or which is used to press, shape, spread, or smooth something

b

: a rod on which something (as a map or a shade) is rolled up

c

: a small wheel (as of a roller skate)

2

: a long heavy wave on the sea

3

: one that rolls or rolls over

Medical Definition

roller

see tongue roller