Definition of cockroach
:any of an order or suborder (Blattodea synonym Blattaria) of chiefly nocturnal insects including some that are domestic pests — compare German cockroach
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Recent Examples of cockroach from the Web
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Among other things, inspectors observed more than 10 cockroaches and 20 rodent droppings in restaurant storage areas and over 20 flies in the food preparation area, according to the Health Department.
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But hoaxes are like cockroaches, one can never fully stomp them out.
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PG: Jason Terry Jason Terry has been hated by every NBA fanbase at least once during his cockroach-in-a-nuclear-war career.
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Another fossil collected from the same strata and location as the seed fern is of an insect that looks very much like a cockroach of today.
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These include the albino Burmese python, Kenyan sand boa, Flemish giant rabbits, rose-haired tarantula, African pygmy hedgehogs, bearded dragon and Madagascar hissing cockroaches, among others.
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Worse, Bell said the family had to buy a new refrigerator after rats chewed a hole through the base of their old fridge and allowed a horde of cockroaches to flood inside.
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Attacks can be triggered by a variety of irritants, including tobacco smoke, dust mites, outdoor air pollution, cockroach allergen, pets, mold, and smoke from burning wood or grass, according to the CDC.
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There are so many systemic problems like mice, cockroaches, sporadic hot water, basement floors that are flooded with sewage…
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cockroach.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of cockroach
by folk etymology from Spanish cucaracha cockroach
COCKROACH Defined for English Language Learners
cockroach
play
noun
Definition of cockroach for English Language Learners
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: a black or brown insect that is sometimes found in people's homes
COCKROACH Defined for Kids
cockroach
play
noun
cock·roach
\
ˈkäk-ˌrōch
\
Definition of cockroach for Students
:a black or brown insect that is active chiefly at night and can be a troublesome pest in homes
Medical Dictionary
cockroach
play
noun
cock·roach
\
ˈkäk-ˌrōch
\
medical Definition of cockroach
:any of an order or suborder (Blattodea synonym Blattaria) of chiefly nocturnal insects including some that are domestic pests — see blatta, blattella, periplaneta
Illustration of cockroach
Learn More about cockroach
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See words that rhyme with cockroach Spanish Central: Translation of cockroach Nglish: Translation of cockroach for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cockroach for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cockroach
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