roost

1 of 2

noun

Synonyms of roostnext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Well, the young female pop artists continue to rule the roost, from Sabrina Carpenter to this year's Best New Artist winner, the lovely Olivia Dean. Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026 First focal plane scopes with MRAD reticles rule the roost in PRS and other field match series. John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
Crows roost on its dilapidated shingles and fly off simultaneously, like a choreographed murder. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Feb. 2026 In 2019, the spaces for Black folk to rest and roost on the internet were plentiful. Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for roost

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of roost was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Roost.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roost. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

roost

1 of 2 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on roost

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