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

Bietila, for example, listed her lengthy resume outside of debate, including roller derby and volunteering at the Field Museum, all while juggling an Advanced Placement course load. —Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026

Cardoso needs to be a consistent rim-runner, roller and paint protector to validate Chicago’s belief. —Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 8 May 2026

In the 1960s, the town manufactured Carmen Curlers — globally popular heated rollers for hairstyling — before the arrival of the electric curling iron helped force the industry’s collapse. —Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 7 May 2026

Stretching or using a foam roller on sore or tight muscles can apply pressure to the fascia while stretching the limb, Kanjiya says. —Scott Haak, EverydayHealth.com, 6 May 2026

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
• lint roller
• road roller
• rock and roller
• roller bearing
• roller-coaster
• roller rink
• roller skate
• roller towel
• stone roller

Rhymes for roller

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

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