role

American  

[rohl] / roʊl /

Rarely rôle

noun

1. a part or character played by an actor or actress.

2. proper or customary function.

   the role of religion in society.

   Synonyms:

   duty, responsibility, position, function, capacity, part, character

3. 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.

4. 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.

---

role British  

/ rəʊl /

noun

1. a part or character in a play, film, etc, to be played by an actor or actress

2. psychol the part played by a person in a particular social setting, influenced by his expectation of what is appropriate

3. 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

If you were looking to cast the role of a land artist in the early 1970s, Ana Mendieta might have been your last choice.

From The Wall Street Journal

The center conducts advanced research aimed at improving scientific understanding of the universe while supporting the United Arab Emirates' expanding role in global space exploration.

From Science Daily

It plays roles in regulating the immune system, metabolism, and reproductive processes.

From Science Daily

“It’s time to win,” said Uhrman, who this month is stepping down as the team’s chief executive to take a new role as principal advisor.

From Los Angeles Times

Prior to Darby, Christians generally did not believe that Jews or a contemporary nation state called Israel had any role to play in the end times.

From Salon

Related Words

• act
• appearance
• aspect
• character
• part
• performance
• portrayal