roach

[ rohch ]

/ roʊtʃ /

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noun

a cockroach.

Slang. the butt of a marijuana cigarette.

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Origin of roach

An Americanism dating to 1830–40 for def. 1 and 1940–45 for def. 2; shortening of cockroach

Words nearby roach

RNZ, RNZAF, RNZN, ro., ROA, roach, roach back, roach clip, roached, road, roadability

Other definitions for roach (2 of 4)

roach²

[ rohch ]

/ roʊtʃ /

noun, plural roach·es, (especially collectively) roach.

a European freshwater fish, Rutilus rutilus, of the carp family.

any of various similar fishes, as the golden shiner.

a freshwater sunfish of the genus Lepomis, found in eastern North America.

Origin of roach

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English roch(e), from Old French roch(e); further origin uncertain

Other definitions for roach (3 of 4)

roach³

[ rohch ]

/ roʊtʃ /

noun

Nautical.

the upward curve at the foot of a square sail.
(loosely) a convexity given to any of the edges of a sail; round.

hair combed up from the forehead or temples in a roll or high curve.

verb (used with object)

to clip or cut off (the mane of a horse); hog.

to comb (hair) into a roach.

Origin of roach

First recorded in 1785–95; origin uncertain; posssibly a development of roach²

Other definitions for roach (4 of 4)

Roach

[ rohch ]

/ roʊtʃ /

noun

Maxwell "Max", 1924–2007, U.S. jazz drummer and bandleader.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use roach in a sentence

Roach shared his curated list of the best synthetic experiences of the last year or so, as he does his homework to find the right opportunities for SCS’ clients like Míele appliances or Vans sneakers.
Media Buying Briefing: Synthetic experiences outgrow their novelty status as they attract more brands|Michael Bürgi|June 14, 2021|Digiday
A single sticky-end strand can’t jerk a heavy roach into the air.
Tiny spider uses silk to lift prey 50 times its own weight|Susan Milius|March 26, 2021|Science News For Students
A single sticky-end strand can’t jerk a heavy roach into the air, so when prey bumps the silk, the resident spider rushes to add extra strands to its big catch.
How a tiny spider uses silk to lift prey 50 times its own weight|Susan Milius|February 3, 2021|Science News
In one case, a prisoner at Stateville Correctional Center filed a grievance to complain about roaches crawling over him as he slept.
The Way Prisoners Flag Guard Abuse, Inadequate Health Care and Unsanitary Conditions Is Broken|by Shannon Heffernan, WBEZ|December 2, 2020|ProPublica

“We’ve got data that’s confirmed both the saving and current account dynamic in a much more dramatic fashion than even I was looking for,” Roach told CNBC’s “Trading Nation” on Wednesday.
‘It’s all about the dollar:’ As the greenback strengthens, the markets tumble|Bernhard Warner|September 24, 2020|Fortune
The best answer Sutton offers is a statement by the preacher John Roach Stratton back in 1918.
The Evangelical Apocalypse Is All Your Fault|Jay Michaelson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Will crunchy parents be running to the pet stores for roach farms?
More Germs, Less Asthma? Study Shows Babies Exposed to Bacteria and Dander at Less Risk|Brandy Zadrozny|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You are what you eat,” Roach writes, “but more than that, you are how you eat.
How to Think With Your Gut|Mindy Farabee|April 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“Sure,” the one guy says, and passes over a roach (the end of a joint).
Getting a Mile High: Legally Stoned in Colorado After Initiative 64|Winston Ross|January 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Each bowed his or her head, and Roach responded in turn with a warm, toothy smile.
Buddhist Retreat’s Death Saga|Lizzie Crocker|July 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The sun first sees the brook in the meadow where some roach swim under a bulging root of ash.
The Hills and the Vale|Richard Jefferies
A flash of silver through the air, then a puff of wind, and a red-finned, black-backed roach of about 8-oz.
The Sportswoman's Library, v. 2|Various
The Chub always liking their fly tied large, the Dace and Roach preferring theirs small.
The Sportswoman's Library, v. 2|Various
Its stomach contained fragments of beetles and a large roach.
Amphibians and Reptiles of the Rainforests of Southern El Peten, Guatemala|William E. Duellman
The Broads and rivers abound with bream and roach; and there are pike, perch, and eels.
The Rivers of Great Britain: Rivers of the East Coast|Various

British Dictionary definitions for roach (1 of 4)

roach¹

/ (rəʊtʃ) /

noun plural roaches or roach

a European freshwater cyprinid food fish, Rutilus rutilus, having a deep compressed body and reddish ventral and tail fins

any of various similar fishes

Word Origin for roach

C14: from Old French roche, of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for roach (2 of 4)

roach²

/ (rəʊtʃ) /

noun

short for cockroach

slang the butt of a cannabis cigarette

British Dictionary definitions for roach (3 of 4)

roach³

/ (rəʊtʃ) /

noun nautical

the amount by which the leech of a fore-and-aft sail projects beyond an imaginary straight line between the clew and the head

the curve at the foot of a square sail

Word Origin for roach

C18: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for roach (4 of 4)

Roach

/ (rəʊtʃ) /

noun

Hal, full name Harald Eugene Roach . 1892–1992, US film producer, whose company produced numerous comedy films in the 1920s and 1930s, including those featuring Harold Lloyd and Laurel and Hardy

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

roach

Origin of roach

Words nearby roach

Other definitions for roach (2 of 4)

Origin of roach

Other definitions for roach (3 of 4)

Origin of roach

Other definitions for roach (4 of 4)

Words related to roach

How to use roach in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for roach (1 of 4)

Word Origin for roach

British Dictionary definitions for roach (2 of 4)

British Dictionary definitions for roach (3 of 4)

Word Origin for roach

British Dictionary definitions for roach (4 of 4)