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

Sacramento County inspectors recently closed a local Mexican restaurant for cockroaches for the second time in three weeks. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 18 Apr. 2025

The report also noted that a dead cockroach was found. —Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025

Tobacco hornworm moth larvae and cockroaches tend to their wounds when hurt. —Bob Fischer, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025

Today, with nary a silverfish, cockroach, or other uninvited creature in sight, my wife and I revere spiders as our saviors. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from Spanish cucaracha cockroach

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cockroach

• German cockroach

Rhymes for cockroach

• approach
• encroach
• reproach
• stagecoach
• broach
• coach
• loach
• poach
• roach
• roche

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