roe

¹ American  

[roh] / roʊ /

noun

1. the mass of eggs, or spawn, within the ovarian membrane of the female fish.

2. the milt or sperm of the male fish.

3. the eggs of any of various crustaceans, as the coral of the lobster.

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roe ² American  

[roh] / roʊ /

noun

plural

roes,

plural

roe

1. roe deer.

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ROE ³ American  

Accounting.

1. return on equity.

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roe ¹ British  

/ rəʊ /

noun

1. short for roe deer

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roe ² British  

/ rəʊ /

noun

1. Also called: hard roe.  the ovary of a female fish filled with mature eggs

2. Also called: soft roe.  the testis of a male fish filled with mature sperm

3. the ripe ovary of certain crustaceans, such as the lobster

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Roe ³ British  

/ rəʊ /

noun

1. law (formerly) the defendant in a fictitious action, Doe versus Roe, to test a point of law See also Doe

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roe Scientific  

/ rō /

1. The eggs of a fish, often together with the membrane of the ovary in which they are held.

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Etymology

Origin of roe¹

1400–50; late Middle English rowe; cognate with Old High German rogo

Origin of roe²

before 900; Middle English roo, Old English rā, rāha; cognate with German Reh

Example Sentences

Much more affordable than its famous counterpart, salmon roe has bigger pearls that burst with briny goodness as you eat them.

From Salon • Dec. 4, 2025

"Walking through the woods, I spotted this roe doe grazing the foliage," says Walker-Nix.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2024

Felix Walker-Nix won the 12-14 years section with this photo of roe deer.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2024

Red urchins are favored over the purple urchins because they contain more edible uni or roe inside, but commercial divers say the amount has shrunk with less kelp.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 8, 2023

‘You took our roe buck,’ said the girl.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver