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

The establishment had an infestation of live roaches and flies, and didn’t have a working hand sink in the kitchen. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026

Two surviving roaches ran under the kitchen steam table. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026

All three South Florida restaurants temporarily shut by the state last week had issues with live and dead roaches in various areas, including behind an ice machine, on a clean plate and under a steam table. —Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2026

This powerful spray kills ants, roaches and other insects through direct contact. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 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