roach

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈrōch 

plural roach also roaches

1

: a silver-green European freshwater cyprinid fish (Rutilus rutilus)

also : any of various related fishes (such as some shiners)

2

: any of several American freshwater sunfishes (family Centrarchidae)

roach

2 of 4

noun (2)

1

: a curved cut in the edge of a sail to prevent chafing or to secure a better fit

2

: a roll of hair brushed straight back from the forehead or side of the head

roach

3 of 4

verb

roached; roaching; roaches

transitive verb

1

: to cut so that the remainder stands upright

roach a horse's mane

2

: to cause to arch

specifically : to brush (the hair) in a roach

—often used with up

roach

4 of 4

noun (3)

1

: cockroach

2

: the butt of a marijuana cigarette

Examples of roach in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

State inspections also cited other pests (roaches and flies), as well as staff hygiene issues, including one employee seen scratching their nose then handling clean utensils. — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

Five, maybe six, live roaches frolicked in a cabinet under a handwash sink. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026

If everything else is correct, that only brings a score to a 98% — but many customers would still be horrified to hear there were roaches. — David Raynor, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2026

Three dead roaches were also spotted near the hot water tank. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English roche, from Anglo-French roche, rosse

Noun (2)

origin unknown

Noun (3)

by shortening

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing roach

• roach back
• roach clip

Rhymes for roach

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

Kids Definition

roach

1 of 2 noun

ˈrōch 

plural roach also roaches

: any of various fishes including some sunfishes and shiners

roach

2 of 2 noun

: cockroach

Medical Definition

roach

noun

ˈrōch 

: cockroach