roll top

American  

noun

1. a flexible, sliding cover for the working area of a desk, opening by rising upward and back in quadrantal grooves and rolling up beneath the top.

2. Also called rolltop desk.  Also called roll-top desk,.  a desk with such a cover.

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Etymology

Origin of roll top

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

It has a 400-cubic-centimeter, two-stroke, two-cylinder engine tucked in the back, and a convertible roll top.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 16, 2025

Lay a piece of chicken on the bottom half of each roll, top with a generous portion of the dressed romaine and add the shaved cheese, if using.

From Washington Post • Jun. 28, 2022

I love that it can switch between being a flap-style bag or a roll top, depending on how much stuff I’ve tried to pack in.

From The Verge • Aug. 19, 2021

The roll top ensures that it will pack small on the way to your destination but give the option for extra room on the way back for any momentos you picked up along the way.

From Golf Digest • Dec. 3, 2018

That is the commander at the roll top desk yonder.

From The Battleship Boys at Sea Two Apprentices in Uncle Sam's Navy by Patchin, Frank Gee