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
The Financial Times reports that around 40 roles, or 7 percent of its staff, are expected to be eliminated through voluntary departures and hiring freezes.
—
Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 14 Mar. 2025
She is best known for her fan-favorite role of attorney Maxine Shaw in Yvette Lee Bowser’s beloved comedy series Living Single.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
Hill starred in the 2007 comedy, playing the analog for Rogen in his first leading film role.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
Ross Mayfield, an investment strategist at Baird Private Wealth Management, doesn’t believe this hit to Musk’s wealth is surprising, or has much to do with Musk’s multiple roles of late.
—Grace Thomas, Forbes, 14 Mar. 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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Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 14 Mar. 2025
She is best known for her fan-favorite role of attorney Maxine Shaw in Yvette Lee Bowser’s beloved comedy series Living Single.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
Hill starred in the 2007 comedy, playing the analog for Rogen in his first leading film role.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
Ross Mayfield, an investment strategist at Baird Private Wealth Management, doesn’t believe this hit to Musk’s wealth is surprising, or has much to do with Musk’s multiple roles of late.
—Grace Thomas, Forbes, 14 Mar. 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 22 Mar. 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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