roost

1 of 2

noun

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
This defiant guy decided to use a huge lumber pile as his roost for days. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Additionally, prey transfer from the adult male in the roost to the lactating female was also observed. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
Here, the wide, shallow channels are perfect for roosting birds, while the surrounding cornfields provide a post-harvest buffet, allowing the cranes to fatten up for the long journey to their breeding grounds in the northern stretches of the United States, Canada, and even Siberia. Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025 If the permit is granted, the gulls' eggs can only be exterminated during roosting season between mid-May and mid-June. Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 15 Sep. 2025 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 Sep. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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