roost
Roost (noun) means the perch or spot where a bird settles to sleep, often a branch or a bar inside a coop. Example: “The hens filed onto the roost as the sun went down.”
How to use roost
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA roost is where a bird sleeps, and to roost is to settle in for the night there.
The idiom "chickens coming home to roost" means past mistakes finally catching up with you — it has nothing to do with actual poultry.
Word forms
roosted past tense, roosts plural, roosts singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The hens filed onto the _____ as the sun went down.
Etymology
From Old English hrōst, meaning the wooden framework of a roof or perch — related to Dutch roest and German Rost ("grate").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for roost
See all rhymes for roost →Frequently asked questions
What does “roost” mean?
The word “roost” means the perch or spot where a bird settles to sleep, often a branch or a bar inside a coop. In plain terms, a roost is where a bird sleeps, and to roost is to settle in for the night there.
How do you pronounce “roost”?
“Roost” is pronounced roost (/ɹust/ in IPA).
How do you use “roost” in a sentence?
Here is “roost” used in a sentence: “The hens filed onto the roost as the sun went down.”
What part of speech is “roost”?
Depending on how it is used, “roost” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “roost” come from?
The word “roost” comes from Old English. From Old English hrōst, meaning the wooden framework of a roof or perch — related to Dutch roest and German Rost ("grate").
How many meanings does “roost” have?
“Roost” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the perch or spot where a bird settles to sleep, often a branch or a bar inside a coop.