California roll

noun

: a type of sushi roll typically consisting of nori and rice wrapped around a filling of avocado, cucumber, and real or imitation cooked crabmeat

The California roll, a stout roll of avocado, imitation crab (actually compressed pollock) and cucumber, was perhaps the first sushi variant to be developed in North America.

—Matt Lee et al.

The most impressive sushi of the evening, however, was his version of the so-called California roll, which originated in Los Angeles.

—Caroline Bates

Examples of California roll in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Three servings of California rolls were discarded when they were found without proper time documentation indicating how long they had been left out of refrigeration. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026

Or for a little bit of everything, the bento box comes with half a California roll; two gyoza; tempura veggie; steamed rice, soup or salad; and a choice of teriyaki chicken, teriyaki beef, or teriyaki shrimp. —Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025

Forty-five people in 18 states recently contracted salmonella in an outbreak linked to cucumbers from Bedner Growers in Palm Beach County, setting off a widespread recall that has affected everything from California rolls sold at Target to banh mi sandwiches served at a North Carolina high school. —Suzy Khimm, NBC news, 7 June 2025

Aunt Cass Café had soba noodle salad, California roll sandwich, and—my obsession—San Fransokyo Clam Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for California roll

• amphibole
• asystole
• buttonhole
• casserole
• centriole
• decontrol
• glycerol
• metropole
• monopole
• multipole
• omeprazole
• oriole