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cockroach
noun
cock·roach
ˈkäk-ˌrōch
: any of an order or suborder (Blattodea synonym Blattaria) of chiefly nocturnal insects including some that are domestic pests compare German cockroach
Examples of cockroach in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The MacGuffin that causes Knull’s generic, interstellar cockroach minions to hunt down Venom/Brock on Earth is a lifeforce-slash-tracking-device known as the Codex.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2024
An airline passenger is claiming that the meal she was served on a recent flight contained an unpleasant addition: a cockroach.
—Erin Clements, People.com, 30 Sep. 2024
The insects found in the library were cockroaches, said library director Sandy Irwin.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 23 Sep. 2024
This prevents a whole host of pests including mosquitoes, flies and cockroaches from getting indoors easily.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
by folk etymology from Spanish cucaracha cockroach
First Known Use
1616, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing cockroach
Articles Related to cockroach
Dictionary Entries Near cockroach
Cite this Entry
“Cockroach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cockroach. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
cockroach
noun
cock·roach
-ˌrōch
: any of an order of quick-moving insects that have long antennae and leathery forewings, are mainly nocturnal, and include pests of human dwellings
Medical Definition
cockroach
noun
cock·roach
ˈkäk-ˌrōch
: any of an order or suborder (Blattodea synonym Blattaria) of chiefly nocturnal insects including some that are domestic pests see blatta, blattella, periplaneta
More from Merriam-Webster on 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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