plural roach also roaches
1
: a silver-green European freshwater cyprinid fish (Rutilus rutilus)
also
: any of various related fishes (such as some shiners)
2
: any of several American freshwater sunfishes (family Centrarchidae)
1
: a curved cut in the edge of a sail to prevent chafing or to secure a better fit
2
: a roll of hair brushed straight back from the forehead or side of the head
roached; roaching; roaches
1
: to cut so that the remainder stands upright
roach a horse's mane
2
: to cause to arch
specifically
: to brush (the hair) in a roach
—often used with up
Examples of roach in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
To prevent roaches, keep stove tops, counters and floors clean of grease and food; repair any plumbing leaks; seal cracks and holes near doors, windows and other areas of the home; and always keep an eye out for signs of cockroaches, which can include eggs, droppings and shed skins.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Health inspectors shut down the Filipino grocery store after discovering about 30 live German cockroaches and more than 20 dead roaches under the three-compartment sink, at the trash bin area of the kitchen entrance and other areas.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Infestation of roaches present throughout kitchen on food and non-food contact surfaces.
—Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for roach
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Noun
Dishwashers that don’t sanitize, food not kept safe from bacteria, and the usual vermin — roaches, rodents, flies — caused Miami to Palm Beach restaurants to fail inspection.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
To prevent roaches, keep stove tops, counters and floors clean of grease and food; repair any plumbing leaks; seal cracks and holes near doors, windows and other areas of the home; and always keep an eye out for signs of cockroaches, which can include eggs, droppings and shed skins.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Health inspectors shut down the Filipino grocery store after discovering about 30 live German cockroaches and more than 20 dead roaches under the three-compartment sink, at the trash bin area of the kitchen entrance and other areas.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Infestation of roaches present throughout kitchen on food and non-food contact surfaces.
—Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for roach
Cite this Entry
“Roach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roach. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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