variants
or less commonly rôle
1
a(1)
: a character assigned or assumed
had to take on the role of both father and mother
(2)
: a socially expected behavior pattern usually determined by an individual's status in a particular society
b
: a part played by an actor or singer
2
: a function or part performed especially in a particular operation or process
played a major role in the negotiations
Examples of role in a Sentence
He plays the role of the villain.
She was given the starring role.
I had a minor role in the play.
After her husband left her, she had to take on the dual role of mother and father for her children.
She likes to play the role of matchmaker with her friends.
She challenged the traditional roles assigned to women.
We'll switch roles this time, and you can wash the dishes while I dry them.
It was a case of role reversal: the father stayed home with the children while the mother worked.
Recent Examples on the Web
CEOs and experts have criticized universities for failing to keep up with the times; now that AI is here to stay, students had better be prepared to leverage it in their roles.
—
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
As part of Monday's announcement, the company said Dan Rosensweig will return as CEO effective immediately, replacing Nathan Schultz, who will step down from the role and remain as an executive advisor to Rosensweig and Chegg's board.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
The film will see Robert Pattinson reprise his role as the Caped Crusader and is slated for release in October 2027.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
Vincent has been an important role player for the Lakers, playing 19 or more minutes in all of the Lakers' first three games this season.
—Acoloma, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for role
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
As part of Monday's announcement, the company said Dan Rosensweig will return as CEO effective immediately, replacing Nathan Schultz, who will step down from the role and remain as an executive advisor to Rosensweig and Chegg's board.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
The film will see Robert Pattinson reprise his role as the Caped Crusader and is slated for release in October 2027.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
Vincent has been an important role player for the Lakers, playing 19 or more minutes in all of the Lakers' first three games this season.
—Acoloma, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for role
Cite this Entry
“Role.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/role. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
role
noun
variants
also rôle
1
a
: a character assigned or taken on
b
: a socially expected behavior pattern usually determined by an individual's status in a particular society
c
: a part played by an actor or singer
a starring role
2
: function entry 1 sense 2a
the role of enzymes in digestion
Etymology
from French rôle "part played by an actor," literally "scroll"; so called because before the use of books, the actor's parts were written on scrolls
Medical Definition
role
noun
variants
also rôle
: a socially prescribed pattern of behavior usually determined by an individual's status in a particular society
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