roost

noun

\ˈrüst

Definition of roost

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a support on which birds rest

b : a place where winged animals and especially birds customarily roost

2 : a group of birds roosting together

roost

verb

roosted; roosting; roosts

Definition of roost (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to settle down for rest or sleep : perch

2 : to settle oneself as if on a roost

transitive verb

: to supply a roost for or put to roost

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about roost

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Synonyms & Antonyms for roost

Synonyms: Verb

alight, land, light, perch, settle, touch down

Antonyms: Verb

blast off, take off

Examples of roost in a Sentence

Verb

Pigeons roost on the building's ledge. pigeons flying home to roost on the roof

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Why were Venezuela’s gangs, long known to rule the roost in the country’s prisons, allowed to host a celebration within a police station? — Ana Vanessa Herrero And Nicholas Casey, New York Times, "Venezuela, Accustomed to Tragedy, Is Shaken Again by Horrific Jail Fire," 29 Mar. 2018 As a final insult, a couple of winged missiles went AWOL, taking up roost under a general's car before exploding. — Lucy Cooke, ajc, "US military is interested in bats as possible defenders against bioweapons," 3 July 2018 As bats have yet to invent teeny tiny breast pumps, the mother's best option is to share her milk supply with the offspring of her roost mates. — Steve Mirsky, Scientific American, "A New Book Looks at What Life Is Like for Moms across the Animal Kingdom," 1 May 2018 As a final insult, a couple of winged missiles went AWOL, taking up roost under a general’s car before exploding. — Lucy Cooke, Washington Post, "The batty, explosive history of bats in the military — and why this new idea just might work," 2 July 2018 Back at Lake Lucerne, Billy ruled the roost, earning two nicknames. — Joy Wallace Dickinson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Lake Eola swans had mighty fierce forefather," 24 June 2018 Sides: The sports bar sides ruled the roost with crispy tater tots ($3.99 for a half order). — Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, "52 Weeks of BBQ: Big Lou’s Burgers & BBQ," 22 June 2018 During the spring, monarchs migrate thousands of miles through the United States to Canada, making stops on the way from their winter roost in Mexico. — Melina Zuñiga, azcentral, "Got milkweed? Desert Botanical Garden's program could help save Monarch butterflies," 9 June 2018 Art critics—certain art critics, the happy few, the band of brothers—ruled the roost. — Roger Kimball, WSJ, "Tom Wolfe Had the Right Stuff," 15 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

When the temperature drops at night, Harry roosts under Dewey’s deck. — Vinny Vella, Philly.com, "In Malvern, 'Harry the Peacock' has found a home," 4 June 2018 The peacocks likely went to roost for the night, and the search was halted until daybreak Thursday. — Fox News, "1 of 4 peacocks that roamed from Philadelphia Zoo found dead," 1 June 2018 Rio Grande turkeys invariably roost in mixed groups, usually a dominant gobbler, maybe a couple of subdominant gobblers and, almost always, a bevy of hens. — Shannon Tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Sound advice: More gobbles on horizon during turkey season," 11 Apr. 2018 The roosting birds, drawn to the downtown core by warmth and an abundance of food sources, started to become a problem about four years ago when everything beneath their preferred trees quickly took on a sheen of avian excrement. — Kale Williams, OregonLive.com, "Latest weapon in Portland's war on bird poop: more birds," 7 Feb. 2018 The Chicken came home to roost on Monday night’s episode of The Bachelorette. — Michele Corriston, PEOPLE.com, "The Bachelorette's David Reveals His Wounded Face After Falling Off a Bunk Bed," 18 June 2018 Until quite recently there was enough coming in to pay expenses but now the chickens are coming home to roost. — WSJ, "Not Much Has Changed With Social Security," 14 June 2018 The birds went to roost overnight and zoo officials intended to work with police to recapture them Thursday morning, but the animals went missing again. — Patricia Madej, Philly.com, "Peacock that escaped Philadelphia Zoo for I-76 found dead; search for 3 others continues," 31 May 2018 Across the gallery hangs a spectacular pair of gilded bronze wall lights resounding with similar curves, all tangling fronds with parrots roosting at their heart. — Cate Mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "MFA’s ‘Casanova’ a voluptuous look at a notorious voluptuary," 6 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'roost.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.