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

The Gables roost has been fruitful in other ways, too. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 9 June 2024

These roosts vary depending on the ambient temperature and include anything from buildings and trees to under rocks and in piles of wood. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Apr. 2024

Verb

George Skelton: Sacramento’s tax rebate giveaway two years ago is coming home to roost. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2024

Coming home to roost View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rooster Teeth (@roosterteeth) Yet another chapter of the early internet has come to a close. —Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 2 Apr. 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