unroll

verb

un·​roll ˌən-ˈrōl How to pronounce unroll (audio)
unrolled; unrolling; unrolls

transitive verb

1
: to unwind a roll of : open out : uncoil
2
: to spread out like a scroll for reading or inspection : unfold, reveal

Examples of unroll in a Sentence

He carefully unrolled the ancient scroll. I unrolled the new carpet. When we arrived at the cabin, we unrolled our sleeping bags. The hose will unroll if you pull on it. Last week, the government unrolled a new vaccination campaign. The scandal unrolled over the course of several weeks. See More
Recent Examples on the Web To make the gold-leaf paper, unroll a section of kraft paper on a flat surface. Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2023 But there’s one more piece of data that will let analysts know how this flu season will unroll: whether the vaccine actually works. Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 10 Nov. 2023 The kit links up with the app and unrolls the entire DNA story and family backstory piecing things together not just from DNA but from its extensive records database as well which includes historical census documents, images from ancient graveyards and more. Anna Tingley, Variety, 8 Nov. 2023 Early attempts to unroll and read the scrolls left them irreversibly damaged, and no such attempts have been made since the 19th century, according to the New York Times’ Nicholas Wade. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023 Earlier this year, the brand announced that the former NBA star was the newest face of Versace Eyewear, unrolling a campaign shot by Mario Sorrenti that featured Wade modeling its sunglasses and eyeglasses alike. Mario Abad, Robb Report, 25 May 2023 This gives all the kids time to pick their spots, unroll their sleeping bags, and settle in for a few hours of slumbery fun. Laura Fenton, Parents, 6 Oct. 2023 In timing that was surely coincidental, iconic OG jam band the Grateful Dead unrolled their first post on TikTok on Thursday (April 20). Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2023 Uh is gradually unrolling menu options, beginning first with his omnivores’ tasting menu, with plans to add tasting menus that are vegan and vegetarian. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unroll.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unroll was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near unroll

Cite this Entry

“Unroll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unroll. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

unroll

verb
un·​roll ˌən-ˈrōl How to pronounce unroll (audio)
ˈən-
1
: to unwind a roll of : open out
unroll a carpet
2
: disclose
the government unrolled a new program
3
: to become unrolled or spread out : unfold
a view of mountains unrolled before them
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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