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

Two roaches died on the kitchen floor and another died inside a reach-in cooler. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

One Frisco restaurant was closed and others had issues with rodents and roaches in the latest round of city health inspections, according to the inspection report. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026

The researchers needed an insect capable of carrying a large payload (over half their weight), and at roughly 40 grams in size, this species is the world’s heaviest species of roach. — IEEE Spectrum, 5 Sep. 2026

The inspection also found roach egg casing beneath the dish machine and on the floor between walk-in cooler and mop sink closet. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 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