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
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Noun
But gone are the days of assuming good actors rule the roost when bad action can be quicker, easier, and more lucrative. Will Johnson, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 Designing artificial roosts and adding cave protections can also help preserve healthy bat populations. The Conversation, Fortune, 14 May 2026
Verb
Once the colony grew, the birds roosted in a derelict military barracks nearby, later returning to the pine forest when the facility was renovated. Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 14 May 2026 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 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 21 May. 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

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