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
- multirole adjective
Etymology
Origin of role
First recorded in 1600–10; from French rôle “roll (of paper containing the actor's part)”; roll
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.
UCLA’s name, image and likeness endeavors are transitioning to new leadership and Chesney must play a huge role in landing the sort of money the Bruins will need to compete in the Big Ten.
From Los Angeles Times
In earlier work published in Nature Neuroscience this year, Watanabe applied the method to genetically engineered mice to investigate the role of a protein called intersectin.
From Science Daily
Ms Potter - who is retiring from her role next year - is said in the new claim to have signed off on the statement.
From BBC
He had been lauded for his prominent role in Spain's tricky transition to democracy after the 36-year dictatorship of Francisco Franco ended with the general's death in 1975.
From Barron's
The crucial role of Synopsys in the chip industry could lead to fears that Nvidia is seeking to deprive its rivals of its services.
From Barron's
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.
