variants
or less commonly rôle
1
a(1)
: a character assigned or assumed
had to take on the role of both father and mother
(2)
: a socially expected behavior pattern usually determined by an individual's status in a particular society
b
: a part played by an actor or singer
2
: a function or part performed especially in a particular operation or process
played a major role in the negotiations
Examples of role in a Sentence
He plays the role of the villain.
She was given the starring role.
I had a minor role in the play.
After her husband left her, she had to take on the dual role of mother and father for her children.
She likes to play the role of matchmaker with her friends.
She challenged the traditional roles assigned to women.
We'll switch roles this time, and you can wash the dishes while I dry them.
It was a case of role reversal: the father stayed home with the children while the mother worked.
Recent Examples on the Web
Their overall role is still small but significantly elevated when viewed as part of the non-carbon share.
—
Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The struggling reliever blew a save in Monday’s series-opener and has scuffled since the start of July, forcing Boone to consider alternatives for the closer’s role.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2025
Women’s soccer uses promotional games to highlight different causes, with players taking leadership roles based on personal connections to organizations.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 2025
The actor fittingly plays an actor in the titular role — but one who doesn’t know what comes after fame and fortune.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for role
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The struggling reliever blew a save in Monday’s series-opener and has scuffled since the start of July, forcing Boone to consider alternatives for the closer’s role.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2025
Women’s soccer uses promotional games to highlight different causes, with players taking leadership roles based on personal connections to organizations.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 2025
The actor fittingly plays an actor in the titular role — but one who doesn’t know what comes after fame and fortune.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for role
Cite this Entry
“Role.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/role. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
role
noun
variants
also rôle
1
a
: a character assigned or taken on
b
: a socially expected behavior pattern usually determined by an individual's status in a particular society
c
: a part played by an actor or singer
a starring role
2
: function entry 1 sense 2a
the role of enzymes in digestion
Etymology
from French rôle "part played by an actor," literally "scroll"; so called because before the use of books, the actor's parts were written on scrolls
Medical Definition
role
noun
variants
also rôle
: a socially prescribed pattern of behavior usually determined by an individual's status in a particular society
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