roller

1 of 2

noun (1)

roll·​er ˈrō-lər 

1

a

: a revolving cylinder over or on which something is moved or which is used to press, shape, spread, or smooth something

b

: a cylinder or rod on which something (such as a shade) is rolled up

2

a

: a long heavy ocean wave

b

: tumbler sense 1b

3

: one that rolls or performs a rolling operation

4

: a slowly rolling ground ball

roller

2 of 2

noun (2)

rol·​ler ˈrō-lər 

1

: any of various mostly brightly colored nonpasserine Old World birds (family Coraciidae) that perform rolling aerial dives during courtship displays

2

: a canary having a song in which the notes are soft and run together

Examples of roller in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some of the pieces include silver rollers, available in carry-on ($278) and large ($378) sizes, as well as their luggage covers, available in a shade of brown similar to Chipotle bagging, in carry-on ($58) and large ($68) sizes. —Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 6 Dec. 2025

Health inspectors gave the gas station a yellow placard after cheese pepperoni, ranchero steak and southwest chicken tornadoes on the roller grill measured outside of the temperature range considered safe. —Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025

Consider putting the roller in the fridge first. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025

Scoop up our favorite finds, including a pasta roller attachment for making the perfect homemade pasta, an espresso machine to channel your inner barista, and darling towels that serve as the ultimate cleaning companion, from $9. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

German, from rollen to roll, reverberate, from Middle French roller — more at roll

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing roller

• high roller
• leaf roller
• road roller
• rock and roller
• roller bearing
• roller coaster
• roller rink
• roller skate
• roller towel
• stone roller

Rhymes for roller

• bowler
• choler
• dolor
• molar
• polar
• solar
• soler
• stroller
• troller
• volar
• ambipolar
• areolar

Kids Definition

roller

noun

roll·​er

ˈrō-lər

1

a

: a turning cylinder over or on which something is moved or which is used to press, shape, spread, or smooth something

b

: a rod on which something (as a map or a shade) is rolled up

c

: a small wheel (as of a roller skate)

2

: a long heavy wave on the sea

3

: one that rolls or rolls over

Medical Definition

roller

see tongue roller