roost

American  

[roost] / rust /

noun

1. a perch upon which birds or fowls rest at night.

2. a large cage, house, or place for fowls or birds to roost in.

3. a place for sitting, resting, or lodging.

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verb (used without object)

1. to sit or rest on a roost, perch, etc.

2. to settle or stay, especially for the night.

idioms

1. rule the roost, to be in charge or control; dominate.

   It was only too apparent that his grandfather ruled the roost.

2. come home to roost, (of an action) to revert or react unfavorably to the doer; boomerang.

   an evil deed that came home to roost and ruined his life.

roost ¹ British  

/ ruːst /

noun

1. a place, perch, branch, etc, where birds, esp domestic fowl, rest or sleep

2. a temporary place to rest or stay

3. See rule

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verb

1. (intr) to rest or sleep on a roost

2. (intr) to settle down or stay

3. to have unfavourable repercussions

Roost ² British  

/ ruːst /

noun

1. a powerful current caused by conflicting tides around the Shetland and Orkney Islands

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roost More Idioms  

1. see chickens come home to roost; rule the roost.

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Other Word Forms

• unroosted adjective
• unroosting adjective

Etymology

Origin of roost

before 1100; Middle English roost (noun), Old English hrōst; cognate with Middle Dutch roest

Example Sentences

There is a chance the crisis widens, its unknowables blooming into view, the crows coming home to roost.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2026

“The chickens are going to come home to roost and these companies will pay more sustainably over time,” Franklin said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

Chelsea - or indeed United - haven't ruled the roost since, amid an extensive turnover of players and coaches.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2026

At Real Madrid the squad's biggest names tend to rule the roost and despite a good start in terms of results, cracks began to show as Alonso's approach did not suit them.

From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026

It was a very towering sort of tower and had all manner of nooks and crannies inside it where the pigeons could roost, and they were very satisfied with themselves.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs