Roland

American

[roh-luhnd] / ˈroʊ lənd /

noun

Italian Orlando. the greatest of the paladins in the Charlemagne cycle of the chansons de geste, renowned for his prowess and the manner of his death in the battle of Roncesvalles (a.d. 778), also for his five days' combat with Oliver in which neither was the victor.
a male given name: from Germanic words meaning “glory” and “land.”

idioms

a Roland for an Oliver, retaliation or a retort equal to its provocation; a blow for a blow.

Roland British

/ ˈrəʊlənd /

noun

the greatest of the legendary 12 peers (paladins, of whom Oliver was another) in attendance on Charlemagne; he died in battle at Roncesvalles (778 _ad )

"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

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.

Arnaldi apologised to the 15,000 fans, with the majority having already arrived at Roland Garros for the match.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

It barely needs saying it will not take place at Roland Garros either.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Poland's Chwalinska is the second qualifier after Nadia Podoroska in 2020 to reach the singles semi-finals at Roland Garros.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

Nor did she have a good build-up to Roland Garros.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

Theo’s mouth has fallen open, staring up at the gabled, columned, gated home in Roland Park where my parents live.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023