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

Both Japanese marques, which once ruled the automotive roost across major automotive markets around the world, have been taking a beating amid the recent growth of the EV market. —New Atlas, 12 Feb. 2025

Yankees still rule roost Last year Boston finished 81-81 and in third place, and heading into 2025 the Red Sox will likely be projected to finish third again. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 2 Feb. 2025

Verb

But as the spending boom waned, some retailers saw problems with their businesses come home to roost. —Cory Smith, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2025

Flames encroached on the trees where butterflies roosted and, while the tree grove remains standing but singed, the status of butterflies is unclear. —Anton Sorokin, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025

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