role

noun

ˈrōl 

variants or less commonly rôle

1

a(1)

: a character assigned or assumed

had to take on the role of both father and mother

(2)

: a socially expected behavior pattern usually determined by an individual's status in a particular society

b

: a part played by an actor or singer

2

: a function or part performed especially in a particular operation or process

played a major role in the negotiations

Synonyms

• business
• capacity
• function
• job
• part
• place
• position
• purpose
• task
• work

Examples of role in a Sentence

He plays the role of the villain.

She was given the starring role.

I had a minor role in the play.

After her husband left her, she had to take on the dual role of mother and father for her children.

She likes to play the role of matchmaker with her friends.

She challenged the traditional roles assigned to women.

We'll switch roles this time, and you can wash the dishes while I dry them.

It was a case of role reversal: the father stayed home with the children while the mother worked.

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Recent Examples on the Web

For the first time since the mixed member proportional voting system began in 1996, the deputy prime minister role will be shared: New Zealand First leader Winston Peters will fill the role for the first 18 months of the government’s three-year term, and ACT leader David Seymour for the remainder. —Michael E. Miller, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023

Over the span of four years, Jaffe has held a number of roles at PMC, including contributing editor, head of public affairs and communications, and, most recently, vp of public affairs and strategy. —Marc Schneider, Billboard, 24 Nov. 2023

Even Connaughton’s senior role didn’t preclude him from taking up the full perk. —Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 23 Nov. 2023

Over the years, Delaney landed plenty of other roles including on the show Philly, The O.C. and a leading role on Army Wives from 2007 to 2012. —Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023

Phil Quartararo, the veteran record executive who played a major role in the success of the Spice Girls, Linkin Park and many others, has died, Variety has confirmed. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 22 Nov. 2023

In fact, its lowly standing sits in stark contrast with its role as a centerpiece of global air travel—and even its current financial performance. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2023

Secrecy around the arrangement has helped to hide its scale, and the Army has played down the plant’s role in manufacturing ammunition for civilians. —Ben Dooley Emily Rhyne, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2023

The royals have played a central role in the commemorations of Remembrance Day since Queen Elizabeth's grandfather, King George V, laid the Unknown Warrior to rest in Westminster Abbey on Nov. 11, 1920. —Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 11 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

French rôle, literally, roll, from Old French rolle

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing role

• play the role
• have a role to play
• role-play
• role model
• speaking part/role
• starring role

• play the role
• have a role to play
• role-play
• role model
• speaking part/role
• starring role

Kids Definition

role

noun

variants also rôle

ˈrōl 

1

a

: a character assigned or taken on

b

: a socially expected behavior pattern usually determined by an individual's status in a particular society

c

: a part played by an actor or singer

a starring role

2

: function entry 1 sense 2a

the role of enzymes in digestion

Etymology

from French rôle "part played by an actor," literally "scroll"; so called because before the use of books, the actor's parts were written on scrolls

Medical Definition

role

noun

variants also rôle

ˈrōl 

: a socially prescribed pattern of behavior usually determined by an individual's status in a particular society