role

noun

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 Metcalf had a supporting role as nosy divorcée Marcie Dahlgren-Frost, who shamelessly flirts with Buck. Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 Meryl Streep is also set to reprise her role from Season 3. Joe Otterson, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024 That decision was criticized as polarized, sparking similar public debate about the Supreme Court’s role and fair elections. Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2024 In November, the Defense Ministry partnered with Lobby X, a recruiting platform that posts job openings in the military, ranging from front-line roles to rear-end logistics or IT. Siobhán O'Grady, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 Psychological or Spiritual Distress Emotional, psychological, or spiritual distress can play a role in anorexia. Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2024 In 2021, Augustin also played a key role in launching Atlantic Records in Berlin as a label focused on German hip-hop – an unusual joint role in recorded music for a publishing executive. Robert Levine, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024 Among them is Tim Blake Nelson, the Ballad of Buster Scruggs actor who was previously cast in an undisclosed role, but never appears in the movie. Shania Russell, EW.com, 4 Mar. 2024 Washington later worked in a variety of roles for the Royals as a hitting coach at Triple-A Omaha, a coach at Double-A Memphis and as a roving hitting instructor. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'role.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French rôle, literally, roll, from Old French rolle

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of role was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near role

Cite this Entry

“Role.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/role. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids 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

More from Merriam-Webster on role

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