roost

noun \ ˈrüst \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Examples: roost in a Sentence

Definition of roost

1 a : a support on which birds rest

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

2 : a group of birds roosting together

See roost defined for English-language learners

See roost defined for kids

Recent Examples of roost from the Web

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
The gobbler thunders a response, flies down from the roost and gobbles again.

— shannon tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Sound advice: More gobbles on horizon during turkey season," 11 Apr. 2018
Opened: 2009 Slam-Dunk: Danny Meyer rules the roost with Shake Shack , Blue Smoke and El Verano Taqueria.

— ari bendersky, WSJ, "The 5 Most Upscale Stadiums for Foodies," 29 May 2018
The master bath usually isn’t where home trends first roost.

— richard a. marini, San Antonio Express-News, "Here are some of San Antonio’s most beautiful master bathrooms," 25 May 2018
During the first weeks of this season, hunters reported very little gobbling on roosts and almost no gobbling once toms hit the ground in the morning.

— shannon tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Sound advice: More gobbles on horizon during turkey season," 11 Apr. 2018
Cats rule their roost in America, and apparently the same holds true in Singapore, too.

— kari costas, ELLE Decor, "Singapore Just Opened A Luxury Hotel For Cats," 24 Feb. 2016
But Kaczmarek’s Lois, the mother of five boys, ruled the roost and was just as important.

— matthew gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, "The greatest TV moms aren’t exactly the greatest TV moms," 10 May 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.

Origin and Etymology of roost

Middle English, from Old English hrōst; akin to Old Saxon hrōst attic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl

roost

verb

Definition of roost

roosted; roosting; roosts

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

See roost defined for English-language learners

Examples of roost in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of roost from the Web

It is offered from mid-October through mid-April, when the bats aren't roosting.

— weldon b. johnson, azcentral, "Kartchner Caverns has summer discounts for Arizona residents, military members," 6 June 2018
The eagles first roosted on Public Square in 1898, in front of the grand Beaux Arts- Chamber of Commerce Building designed by Boston’s famed Peabody & Stearns firm.

— cleveland.com, "Public Square Eagles: Long-gone statues from Cleveland's glory days resurface, go on sale," 23 Mar. 2018
Boardwalks abound and offer excellent opportunities for birders to stretch their legs. Pelicans and herons are on view in August and September, and 500 bald eagles roost here at Bear Valley in winter.

— julie h. case, San Francisco Chronicle, "Oregon’s volcanic byway offers views of where lava shaped the land," 22 May 2018
At Butler, Dale’s job was to grab a bucket of warm water and a putty knife and walk the bleachers at Hinkle Fieldhouse, whose beautiful windows broke from time to time, allowing birds to roost in the rafters.

— gregg doyel, Indianapolis Star, "Doyel: A 68-year love affair with the Indy 500 started with a boy in an elm tree," 19 May 2018
Over the next 10 minutes, roosted turkeys called from at least five spots.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Fulfillment on Gobbler's Ridge comes from more than just harvesting turkeys," 12 May 2018
The frozen chicken was located roosting in the suspect’s purse.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "Judgement and Epiphany on Pittsburgh’s Number 79 Bus," 11 May 2018
The Palm Beach County School District is about to see numerous financial chickens come home to roost.

— dan sweeney, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Are you ready to raise taxes to pay teachers?," 3 May 2018
Chickens can now come home to roost in Carpentersville.

— erin sauder, Elgin Courier-News, "Revised Carpentersville ordinance lets residents have backyard chicken coops," 2 May 2018

First Known Use of roost

1530

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

roost Synonyms

ROOST Defined for English Language Learners

roost

noun

Definition of roost for English Language Learners

: a place where birds rest or sleep

roost

verb

Definition of roost for English Language Learners

of a bird : to rest or sleep somewhere

ROOST Defined for Kids

roost

noun \ ˈrüst \

Definition of roost for Students

: a place where birds rest or sleep

roost

verb

Definition of roost for Students

roosted; roosting

: to settle down for rest or sleep

Sparrows roost in the trees.

Learn More about roost

See words that rhyme with roost Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for roost Spanish Central: Translation of roost Nglish: Translation of roost for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of roost for Arabic speakers

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roost

Definition of roost

Recent Examples of roost from the Web

Origin and Etymology of roost

Other Birds Terms

roost

Definition of roost

Examples of roost in a Sentence

Recent Examples of roost from the Web

First Known Use of roost

roost Synonyms

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ROOST Defined for English Language Learners

roost

Definition of roost for English Language Learners

roost

Definition of roost for English Language Learners

ROOST Defined for Kids

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Definition of roost for Students

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