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

Elsewhere, Super Mario Galaxy is hardly complaining about coming in second ruling the roost for weeks, since it’s now focused on becoming the first film of the year to join the billion-dollar club after finishing Sunday with a global total of $871 million. —Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 26 Apr. 2026

In terms of finishing higher than Swansea, Cardiff City (who have secured promotion back to the Championship) and Newport County (battling to avoid relegation from fourth-tier League Two), this is the first time north Wales has ruled the roost in 25 years. —Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026

Verb

There are six species of birds that flock to neighborhoods and try to roost, said Rachel Richter, an urban wildlife biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife. —Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2026

Lake Conroe residents Michael Hallett and Madi Bullock began an awareness campaign in 2024 to help save the island in Lake Conroe where native and migratory birds roost. —Sondra Hernandez, Houston Chronicle, 18 Apr. 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