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
His roost changed through the years until Cookie essentially entered retirement in 2009, by moving into the keepers’ offices in the Bird and Reptile House. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025 When is peak monarch butterfly migration in Texas? Monarch butterflies begin their northward journey from their Mexican roosts during the second week of March, in search of milkweed plants to lay their eggs, according to Monarch Watch. Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
The chickens have a strange way of coming home to roost on The Chi. Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2025 The chickens are coming home to roost, all our career readiness and job search strategies are now in play, and the battle is joined. Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 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 22 Aug. 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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