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)
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
roached; roaching; roaches
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
Examples of roach in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
The two largest roach counts on the inspection weren’t exact: over 15 roaches coming from inside a broken wall post in the middle of the kitchen, next to a breakfast/sandwich making area; and over 10 live roaches on a wall and electrical area behind reach-in cooler and freezers.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
These roaches are often found in leaf litter and mulch, so their coloration helps to hide or camouflage them against predators.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2025
Two businesses were noted to have issues with roaches or rodents:
Hot Shot Food Store, located at 4413 E. Berry St., had a score of 18.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for roach
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Praying mantises eat flies, moths, roaches, grasshoppers and more.
—Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
The two largest roach counts on the inspection weren’t exact: over 15 roaches coming from inside a broken wall post in the middle of the kitchen, next to a breakfast/sandwich making area; and over 10 live roaches on a wall and electrical area behind reach-in cooler and freezers.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
These roaches are often found in leaf litter and mulch, so their coloration helps to hide or camouflage them against predators.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2025
Two businesses were noted to have issues with roaches or rodents:
Hot Shot Food Store, located at 4413 E. Berry St., had a score of 18.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for roach
Cite this Entry
“Roach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roach. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share