noun
roost
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.”
noun
1
The perch or spot where a bird settles to sleep, often a branch or a bar inside a coop.
"The hens filed onto the roost as the sun went down."
"A pigeon roost had formed under the old railway bridge."
verb
1
To settle somewhere to sleep or rest for the night, especially said of birds.
"Starlings roost by the thousand in that stand of trees."
"We found bats roosting in the barn rafters."
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.
Common mistake
The idiom "chickens coming home to roost" means past mistakes finally catching up with you — it has nothing to do with actual poultry.
Common pairings
come home to roost
a chicken roost
roost for the night
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like roost.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- roosts
- Third person singular
- roosts
- Past tense
- roosted
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
View more →Related words
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.
