role
Americannoun
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a part or character played by an actor or actress.
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proper or customary function.
the role of religion in society.
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the function assumed by a person or thing in a given action or process.
Schools offer few practical tools to help students explore their role in shaping the future.
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Sociology. the rights, obligations, and expected behavior patterns associated with a particular social status.
When studying child development, it was critical to study the father's role.
noun
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a part or character in a play, film, etc, to be played by an actor or actress
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psychol the part played by a person in a particular social setting, influenced by his expectation of what is appropriate
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usual or customary function
what is his role in the organization?
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of role
First recorded in 1600–10; from French rôle “roll (of paper containing the actor's part)”; see roll
Explanation
A role is a part you play. In school, you might take on the role of clown, in your family, the role of the responsible one, on stage, the role of Juliet. Role can also mean job or function. It is the role of the police to keep the community safe, and political parties often argue about the role government should play in our lives. Roles can also be played by things. You can say that computers play an increasing role in our day-to-day lives and that the role of a hat is to keep your head warm. You look up to your role model because of the important role that they play in influencing others' lives.
Vocabulary lists containing role
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Michelle Obama's Speech at the 2016 DNC
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Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 10
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The results confirmed that acetylcholine plays an essential role in helping the brain adapt when circumstances change.
From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026
Wadood, of Irwell Street, Bury, also played a key supporting role and was "second-in-command" to Hussain, the court heard.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
Tech companies are betting big that AI tools, such as chatbots and AI-powered gadgets including smart glasses, will play a big role in the future.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
But if you think the traditional news networks have anything like the role they had 50 years ago, you’re living in a fantasy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
But a question remains: How did Paul Jennings come to play a role in The Pearl escape?
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
