roared; roaring; roars
1
a
: to make the loud sound of a wild animal
b
: to make a long, loud sound
sirens roaring
The engine roared back to life. [=made the loud sound of an engine and began running well]
—sometimes used figurativelyHer career suddenly roared back to life.
c
: to sing or shout with full force
The fans roared when their team scored.
2
a
: to make or emit a loud confused sound (such as background reverberation or rumbling)
b
: to laugh loudly
3
a
: to be boisterous or disorderly
b
: to proceed or rush with great noise or commotion
The truck roared away/off.
—sometimes used figurativelyThe team came roaring back in the last quarter to win the game.
4
: to make a loud noise during inhalation (such as that of a horse affected with roaring)
1
: to utter or proclaim with a roar
"Watch out!" he roared.
—often used with outThe sergeant roared out orders.
2
: to cause to roar
roaring their engines
1
: the deep cry of a wild animal (such as a lion)
2
: a loud deep cry (as of pain or anger)
3
: a loud continuous confused sound
the roar of the crowd
4
: a boisterous outcry
Examples of roar in a Sentence
Verb
We heard a lion roar in the distance.
The joke got the crowd roaring.
The crowd roared its approval.
She roared at him for being late.
Noun
the roar of the airplane engines
the roar of the river
Recent Examples on the Web
Mason Leath, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2025
Each time Skipper has reported as eligible at home games since then, the crowd has roared for a player who has become an unlikely fan favorite.
—CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
Rizzo and Peralta then take over, in collaboration with Nelson and Whittle — all of whom work at Skywalker Sound — to manage the dynamics so, for instance, the actor’s voices sound right over the roar of the engines.
—Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for roar
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Verb
One animal sanctuary in England always wakes up roaring.
—Mason Leath, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2025
Each time Skipper has reported as eligible at home games since then, the crowd has roared for a player who has become an unlikely fan favorite.
—CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
Noun
Sokalski had sharpened her race skills for years and finally broke through a Mideast regional qualifier to be here at Loretta Lynn's Ranch among the dust and roar of the sport that ran in her family's blood.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
Rizzo and Peralta then take over, in collaboration with Nelson and Whittle — all of whom work at Skywalker Sound — to manage the dynamics so, for instance, the actor’s voices sound right over the roar of the engines.
—Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for roar
Cite this Entry
“Roar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roar. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
roar
1 of 2 verb
ˈrō(ə)r 
ˈrȯ(ə)r
1
: to utter a long full loud sound
the lion roared
2
: to laugh loudly
3
: to say with a roar
roarer
noun
ˈrōr-ər,
ˈrȯr-
roar
2 of 2 noun1
a
: the deep loud cry of a wild animal (as a lion)
b
: a loud deep cry or shout
2
: a loud confused sound
the roar of the crowd
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