roost

1 of 2

noun

ˈrüst 

1

a

: a support on which birds rest

b

: a place where winged animals and especially birds customarily roost

2

: a group of birds roosting together

roost

2 of 2

verb

roosted; roosting; roosts

intransitive verb

1

: to settle down for rest or sleep : perch

2

: to settle oneself as if on a roost

transitive verb

: to supply a roost for or put to roost

Synonyms

Verb

• alight
• land
• light
• perch
• settle
• touch down

Examples of roost in a Sentence

Verb

Pigeons roost on the building's ledge.

pigeons flying home to roost on the roof

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With echolocation alone, 95 percent of the bats returned to their roosts within minutes. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 31 Oct. 2024

Start by building a bat house, which provides a safe summer roost for bats, Redell suggested. —Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

National trends, however, are coming home to roost. —Cy Neff, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024

Black Lodge: When Only a New Chalet Will Do Black Lodge is located in Courchevel 1850, where the crème de la crème of Courchevel scene makers come to roost. —Everett Potter, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hrōst; akin to Old Saxon hrōst attic

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing roost

• come home to roost
• rule the roost
• the/his chickens are (finally) coming home to roost

Kids Definition

roost

1 of 2 noun

ˈrüst 

1

: a support on which birds rest

2

: a place where birds often roost

roost

2 of 2 verb

: to settle down for rest or sleep : perch