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

One small live roach was found in the restaurant. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2026

Most of the roaches were found around a water heater and near a dairy cooler. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2026

Behind kitchen equipment, the inspector estimated 40 to 50 roach corpses. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026

Some types of roaches even build up a tolerance to pesticides, making elimination more challenging. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 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