roost

1 of 2

noun

ˈrüst 

1

a

: a support on which birds rest

b

: a place where winged animals and especially birds customarily roost

2

: a group of birds roosting together

roost

2 of 2

verb

roosted; roosting; roosts

intransitive verb

1

: to settle down for rest or sleep : perch

2

: to settle oneself as if on a roost

transitive verb

: to supply a roost for or put to roost

Synonyms

Verb

• perch
• land

Examples of roost in a Sentence

Verb

Pigeons roost on the building's ledge.

pigeons flying home to roost on the roof

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These communal roosts provide safety in numbers and opportunities for social learning. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025

His roost changed through the years until Cookie essentially entered retirement in 2009, by moving into the keepers’ offices in the Bird and Reptile House. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025

Verb

Migrating birds may seek shelter from the elements in hollow pipes or attempt to roost on or in them and become trapped. —Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Getting permission on a field here will be really tough (maybe impossible), however Haugen says that there are good opportunities for freelance hunting in rivers and sloughs throughout the valley, where ducks roost and loaf. —Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hrōst; akin to Old Saxon hrōst attic

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing roost

• come home to roost
• rule the roost
• the/his chickens are (finally) coming home to roost

Rhymes for roost

• boost
• loosed
• sluiced
• adduced
• conduced
• deduced
• induced
• produced
• reduced
• seduced
• traduced
• transduced

Kids Definition

roost

1 of 2 noun

ˈrüst 

1

: a support on which birds rest

2

: a place where birds often roost

roost

2 of 2 verb

: to settle down for rest or sleep : perch