roost

1 of 2

noun

ˈrüst 

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

roost

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms of roost

Verb

• perch
• land

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

Leaving the roost is an exciting time for young adults to gain some independence and to learn more about themselves, and the same can be true for parents. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Mar. 2026

Wildlife Diversity Biologist Katherine Caldwell Etchison is optimistic bats will take advantage of the new roost come spring time. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2026

Verb

Some in the West will be tempted to see this as the generals’ chickens coming home to roost. —Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026

The grackles seek safety in numbers, and often choose to roost in suburban or urban areas with heavy foot traffic in order to ward of predators. —Sara Diggins, Austin American Statesman, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing roost

• come home to roost
• rule the roost
• the/his chickens are (finally) coming home to roost

Rhymes for roost

• boost
• loosed
• sluiced
• adduced
• conduced
• deduced
• induced
• produced
• reduced
• seduced
• traduced
• transduced

Kids Definition

roost

1 of 2 noun

ˈrüst 

1

: a support on which birds rest

2

: a place where birds often roost

roost

2 of 2 verb

: to settle down for rest or sleep : perch