roller

1 of 2

noun (1)

roll·​er ˈrō-lər 

1

a

: a revolving cylinder over or on which something is moved or which is used to press, shape, spread, or smooth something

b

: a cylinder or rod on which something (such as a shade) is rolled up

2

a

: a long heavy ocean wave

b

: tumbler sense 1b

3

: one that rolls or performs a rolling operation

4

: a slowly rolling ground ball

roller

2 of 2

noun (2)

rol·​ler ˈrō-lər 

1

: any of various mostly brightly colored nonpasserine Old World birds (family Coraciidae) that perform rolling aerial dives during courtship displays

2

: a canary having a song in which the notes are soft and run together

Examples of roller in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The town was a manufacturing hub in the 1960s for the hair roller maker Carmen Curlere before it was sold to U.S. firm Clairol, eventually leading to thousands of job losses and the plant’s closure in 1990. —Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 4 Nov. 2024

The image architect, 46, who is known for his work with icons like Zendaya and Céline Dion, partnered with Pepsi Wild Cherry for a new capsule collection that's all about roller skating culture from a day gone by. —Hedy Phillips, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

The snow roller bags feature all-terrain wheels, come in three sizes to fit equipment of varying dimensions and include a water-resistant tarpaulin linen to lock out moisture. —Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024

In the movie of the same name, Xanadu is the name of a roller disco. —Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 20 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

German, from rollen to roll, reverberate, from Middle French roller — more at roll

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing roller

• high roller
• leaf roller
• road roller
• rock and roller
• roller bearing
• roller coaster
• roller rink
• roller skate
• roller towel
• stone roller

Kids Definition

roller

noun

roll·​er

ˈrō-lər

1

a

: a turning cylinder over or on which something is moved or which is used to press, shape, spread, or smooth something

b

: a rod on which something (as a map or a shade) is rolled up

c

: a small wheel (as of a roller skate)

2

: a long heavy wave on the sea

3

: one that rolls or rolls over

Medical Definition

roller

see tongue roller