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
Ingraham was additionally designated as the future chair of the company's compensation committee, which could give her a key role in determining the compensation of officers and directors.
—
Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
One cultural role of child stars, after all, is to embody for their moment the ambiguities of approaching adolescence.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
The report called for the state Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees SNAP in North Carolina, to take a more active role in overseeing county-level performance.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2025
Chesney’s roles as music hitmaker, touring kingpin and songwriter were highlighted during the evening, but also his commitment to philanthropy and to supporting the next generation of music artists.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for role
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show current usage.
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Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
One cultural role of child stars, after all, is to embody for their moment the ambiguities of approaching adolescence.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
The report called for the state Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees SNAP in North Carolina, to take a more active role in overseeing county-level performance.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2025
Chesney’s roles as music hitmaker, touring kingpin and songwriter were highlighted during the evening, but also his commitment to philanthropy and to supporting the next generation of music artists.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 20 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 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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