rolling

1 of 2

present participle of roll

rolling

2 of 2

adjective

roll·​ing ˈrō-liŋ 

: not having or set to a fixed date or deadline : continually adjustable through a period of time to provide flexibility for individual circumstances

… the city is encouraging families to sign up their kids by June 26, although there is a rolling deadline until Oct. 1. The sooner families apply … the better chance they'll secure the seat they want.

—Matthew Chayes

Many law schools use a rolling admissions process, meaning they evaluate applications as they come in and release admissions decisions, one by one.

—Ilana Kowarski

The Delaware Aglands Foundation Board announced it will institute a rolling application process for its Young Farmer Loan Program to offer young farmers more flexibility in acquiring a farm.

—The Dover Post

Examples of rolling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Keep an eye on their calendar for one-off classes, too, including one on Japanese noodles with Mike Satinover of Akahoshi (July 22) and one on pasta making with the mattarello, a long, handle-free rolling pin (fall 2026). —Nicole Schnitzler, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026

There are two side pockets, a wide-mouth zippered top, and a trolley sleeve to slide it over the handle of your rolling suitcase for an even easier journey to your gate. —Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2026

The league is expected to announce new teams on a rolling basis, versus all at once. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Head north to Lake Superior, book a pastoral getaway among the rolling hills of the Driftless Region, or settle in along the rocky beaches of the Door Peninsula. —Katy Spratte Joyce, Midwest Living, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1959, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rolling

• eye rolling
• get rolling
• get/set/start the ball rolling
• keep the ball rolling
• rolling boil
• rolling hitch
• rolling in (something)
• rolling in (the) dough
• rolling mill
• rolling pin
• rolling stock

Rhymes for rolling

• bowling
• coaling
• doling
• growling
• holing
• poling
• polling
• scrolling
• shoaling
• strolling
• tolling
• trolling

Kids Definition

rolling

adjective

roll·​ing

: not having or set to a fixed date or deadline

rolling admissions