perch

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈpərch 

1

: a bar or peg on which something is hung

2

a

: a roost for a bird

b

: a resting place or vantage point : seat

c

: a prominent position

his new perch as president

3

chiefly British : rod sense 2

perch

2 of 3

verb

perched; perching; perches

intransitive verb

: to alight, settle, or rest on a perch, a height, or a precarious spot

transitive verb

: to place on a perch, a height, or a precarious spot

perch

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural perch or perches

1

a

: a small European freshwater bony fish (Perca fluviatilis of the family Percidae, the perch family)

b

: yellow perch

2

: any of numerous bony fishes (as of the families Percidae, Centrarchidae, and Serranidae)

Illustration of perch

• ³perch 1a

Synonyms of perch

Verb

• land
• roost

Examples of perch in a Sentence

Verb

pigeons perching on the roof

perched the baby in a basket

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Today’s special Oscars edition, which was filed from a perch at the lobby bar of the Dolby Theatre, is co-helmed by senior news reporter Daniel Arkin. —Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 16 Mar. 2026

Dinners are $12 for two pieces of cod or three pieces of perch, fries or a baked potato, coleslaw and a roll, according to a social media post. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026

Verb

It’s perched on a cliff with truly breathtaking views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026

La Cocina serves fresh Mexican food on the sand and brings around a plate of gratis black bean tacos at lunch time, Buena Onda plates Spanish tapas in a set-back cove on the edge of the resort, and Toppu is perched in the mountains of Mandarina, emphasizing Japanese fine dining. —Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English perche, from Anglo-French, from Latin pertica pole

Noun (2)

Middle English perche, from Anglo-French, from Latin perca, from Greek perkē; akin to Old High German faro colored, Latin porcus, a spiny fish

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing perch

• Nile perch
• ocean perch
• perch oneself
• pike perch
• silver perch
• speckled perch
• trout-perch
• white perch
• yellow perch

Rhymes for perch

• birch
• lurch
• search
• interchurch
• recherche
• research

Kids Definition

perch

1 of 3 noun

ˈpərch 

1

: a roost for a bird

2

: a raised seat or position

perch

2 of 3 verb

1

: to place on a perch

2

: to land, settle, or rest on or as if on a perch

perch

3 of 3 noun

plural perch or perches

1

: a common North American freshwater fish that is yellowish with dark green vertical stripes and is a popular food and sport fish

called also yellow perch

2

: any of various fishes related to or resembling the perch

Etymology

Noun

Middle English perche "a peg on which something is hung," from early French perche (same meaning), from Latin pertica "pole"

Noun

Middle English perche "a kind of fish," from early French perche (same meaning), from Latin perca (same meaning), from Greek perkē "perch (fish)"