rolling

1 of 2

present participle of roll

rolling

2 of 2

adjective

roll·​ing ˈrō-liŋ 

: not having or set to a fixed date or deadline : continually adjustable through a period of time to provide flexibility for individual circumstances

… the city is encouraging families to sign up their kids by June 26, although there is a rolling deadline until Oct. 1. The sooner families apply … the better chance they'll secure the seat they want.

—Matthew Chayes

Many law schools use a rolling admissions process, meaning they evaluate applications as they come in and release admissions decisions, one by one.

—Ilana Kowarski

The Delaware Aglands Foundation Board announced it will institute a rolling application process for its Young Farmer Loan Program to offer young farmers more flexibility in acquiring a farm.

—The Dover Post

Examples of rolling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Simmer pots work best when the cold water is heated to a gentle simmer—never a rolling boil. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 15 Jan. 2026

This weekend, Central Winds Park in Winter Springs will resemble the rolling hills of Scotland, complete with bagpipes, Highland games, herding dogs and even haggis. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026

With rolling ticket drops starting in April, fans are encouraged to register early in case certain events are already sold out in later purchasing windows. —Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026

There were no rolling races, but the message was already clear. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1959, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rolling

• eye rolling
• get rolling
• get/set/start the ball rolling
• keep the ball rolling
• rolling boil
• rolling hitch
• rolling in (something)
• rolling in (the) dough
• rolling mill
• rolling pin
• rolling stock

Rhymes for rolling

• bowling
• coaling
• doling
• growling
• holing
• poling
• polling
• scrolling
• shoaling
• strolling
• tolling
• trolling

Kids Definition

rolling

adjective

roll·​ing

: not having or set to a fixed date or deadline

rolling admissions