roll

noun (1)

\ ˈrōl

Definition of roll

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a(1) : a written document that may be rolled up : scroll specifically : a document containing an official or formal record the rolls of parliament

(2) : a manuscript book

b : a list of names or related items : catalog

c : an official list the voter rolls : such as

(1) : muster roll

(2) : a list of members of a school or class or of members of a legislative body

2 : something that is rolled up into a cylinder or ball or rounded as if rolled rolls of fat : such as

a : a quantity (as of fabric or paper) rolled up to form a single package

b : a hairdo in which some or all of the hair is rolled or curled up or under

c : any of various food preparations rolled up for cooking or serving cabbage rolls a sushi roll especially : a small piece of baked yeast dough

d : a cylindrical twist of tobacco

e : a roll of paper on which music for a player piano is recorded in perforations which actuate the keys

f : a flexible case (as of leather) in which articles may be rolled and fastened by straps or clasps jewelry roll

g(1) : paper money folded or rolled into a wad

(2) slang : bankroll

3 : something that performs a rolling action or movement : roller

4 : a wheel for making decorative lines on book covers also : a design impressed by such a tool

roll

verb

rolled; rolling; rolls

Definition of roll (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to impel forward by causing to turn over and over on a surface

b : to cause to revolve by turning over and over on or as if on an axis

c : to cause to move in a circular manner they rolled their eyes at the absurdity

d : to form into a mass by turning over and over

e : to impel forward with an easy continuous motion

f : to cause to move in a given direction by or as if by turning a crank rolled down the window

2a : to put a wrapping around : enfold, envelop

b : to wrap round on itself : shape into a ball or roll rolled up the newspaper also : to produce by such shaping rolled his own cigarettes

3 : to press, spread, or level with a roller : make smooth, even, or compact hulled and rolled oats roll paint —often used with out rolled out the dough

4a : to move on rollers or wheels rolled the patient into the operating room

b : to cause to begin operating or moving roll the cameras

5a : to sound with a full reverberating tone rolled out the words

b : to make a continuous beating sound upon : sound a roll upon rolled their drums

c : to utter with a trill rolled his r's

d : to play (a chord) in arpeggio style

6 : to combine so as to comprise one entity —usually used in the phrase rolled into one a shopping center, amusement park, and nightclub all rolled into one

7 : to rob (a drunk, sleeping, or unconscious person) usually by going through the pockets broadly : rob

8 : bowl sense 1

intransitive verb

1a : to move along a surface by rotation without sliding

b(1) : to turn over and over the children rolled in the grass

(2) : to luxuriate in an abundant supply : wallow fairly rolling in money

2a : to move onward or around as if by completing a revolution : elapse, pass the months roll on

b : to shift the gaze continually eyes rolling in terror

c : to revolve on an axis

3 : to move about : roam, wander

4a : to go forward in an easy, gentle, or undulating manner the waves rolled in

b : to flow in a continuous stream : pour money was rolling in

c : to flow as part of a stream of words or sounds the names roll off your tongue

d : to have an undulating contour rolling prairie

e : to lie extended : stretch

5a : to travel in a vehicle rolling north on the highway

b : to become carried on a stream

c : to move on wheels

6a : to make a deep reverberating sound the thunder rolls

b : trill

7a : to swing from side to side the ship heaved and rolled

b : to walk with a swinging gait : sway

8a : to take the form of a cylinder or ball

b : to respond to rolling in a specified way

9a : to get underway : begin to move or operate

b : to move forward : develop and maintain impetus the project finally got rolling especially : to proceed or progress with notable ease or success the team was rolling

10 : to execute a somersault

11 of a football quarterback : to run toward one flank usually parallel to the line of scrimmage especially before throwing a pass —often used with out

roll the bones

: to shoot craps

roll the dice

: to assume a risk by taking action rolled the dice when they bought those stocks

roll with the punches

1 : to move so as to lessen the impact of blows

2 : to adjust to things as they happen

roll

noun (2)

Definition of roll (Entry 3 of 3)

1a : a sound produced by rapid strokes on a drum

b : a sonorous and often rhythmical flow of speech

c : a heavy reverberatory sound the roll of cannon

2 : a rolling movement or an action or process involving such movement a roll of the dice an airplane's takeoff roll : such as

a : a swaying movement of the body

b : a side-to-side movement (as of a ship or train)

c(1) : a flight maneuver in which a complete revolution about the longitudinal axis of an airplane is made with the horizontal direction of flight being approximately maintained

(2) : the motion of an aircraft or spacecraft about its longitudinal axis

d : a somersault executed in contact with the ground

on a roll

: in the midst of a series of successes : on a hot streak —sometimes used with a modifier has been on a brilliant roll

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about roll

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Synonyms & Antonyms for roll

Synonyms: Verb

agglomerate, ball, round, wad

Antonyms: Verb

unroll

Examples of roll in a Sentence

Verb

The children rolled down the hill. The ball rolled slowly to a stop. Roll the chicken wings in the batter. The paramedics rolled him onto the gurney. The car rolled slowly to a stop. A police car rolled up next to us. The children rolled the toy car to each other. The patient was rolled into the emergency room. The fog soon rolled away.

History and Etymology for roll

Noun (1)

Middle English rolle, from Anglo-French roule, rolle, from Medieval Latin rolla, alteration of rotula, from Latin, diminutive of rota wheel; akin to Old High German rad wheel, Welsh rhod, Sanskrit ratha wagon

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French rouler, roller, from roele wheel, rowel & roule roll

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Time Traveler for roll

The first known use of roll was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for roll

roll

verb

English Language Learners Definition of roll

: to move across the ground or another surface by turning over and over

: to turn over one or more times

: to move smoothly on wheels

See the full definition for roll in the English Language Learners Dictionary

roll

verb

\ ˈrōl

rolled; rolling

Kids Definition of roll

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : to move or cause to move by turning over and over on a surface The ball rolled away.

2 : to shape or become shaped in rounded form She rolls the dough to make cookies.

3 : to sound with a full echoing tone or with a continuous beating sound rolling thunder

4 : to flow in or as if in a continuous stream Tears came rolling. The day I had waited for so long had turned … ugly.— Wilson Rawls, Where the Red Fern Grows

5 : to move or cause to move in a circular manner She rolled her eyes. He rolled over on his back.

6 : to go by : pass Time rolled by.

7 : to move with a side-to-side sway The ship rolled.

8 : to make smooth, even, or firm with a roller He rolls out the dough.

9 : to move on rollers or wheels

roll around

: to happen again We'll go when Friday rolls around.