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

Inspectors also shut down a Sacramento catering company after discovering a dozen live roaches. —Sacbee.com, 27 Nov. 2025

But others led to findings of health violations, including one in October 2024 where inspectors found evidence of roaches and bedbugs. —Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Nov. 2025

One live roach and 10 roach corpses were spread around the restaurant. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Nov. 2025

Most insecticides are not effective against German roaches. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025

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