roach

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈrōch 

plural roach also roaches

1

: a silver-green European freshwater cyprinid fish (Rutilus rutilus)

also : any of various related fishes (such as some shiners)

2

: any of several American freshwater sunfishes (family Centrarchidae)

roach

2 of 4

noun (2)

1

: a curved cut in the edge of a sail to prevent chafing or to secure a better fit

2

: a roll of hair brushed straight back from the forehead or side of the head

roach

3 of 4

verb

roached; roaching; roaches

transitive verb

1

: to cut so that the remainder stands upright

roach a horse's mane

2

: to cause to arch

specifically : to brush (the hair) in a roach

—often used with up

roach

4 of 4

noun (3)

1

: cockroach

2

: the butt of a marijuana cigarette

Examples of roach in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In addition to the body, the unfurnished apartment had soiled carpet and was infested with flies and roaches. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 13 Nov. 2024

Yelp compiled search data on the types of infestations Americans researched most frequently, including bed bugs, roaches, termites, rodents, wasps, mosquitoes and snakes. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 17 July 2024

Seven live roaches moved about the floor under a kitchen three-compartment sink. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 May 2024

Baits contain insecticide that may not only kill the roach who ingests it but that has a secondary transfer to other roaches who may eat that roach’s waste or the roach itself, says Benson. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English roche, from Anglo-French roche, rosse

Noun (2)

origin unknown

Noun (3)

by shortening

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing roach

• roach back
• roach clip

Kids Definition

roach

1 of 2 noun

ˈrōch 

plural roach also roaches

: any of various fishes including some sunfishes and shiners

roach

2 of 2 noun

: cockroach

Medical Definition

roach

noun

ˈrōch 

: cockroach