role
Americannoun
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a part or character played by an actor or actress.
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proper or customary function.
the role of religion in society.
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the function assumed by a person or thing in a given action or process.
Schools offer few practical tools to help students explore their role in shaping the future.
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Sociology. the rights, obligations, and expected behavior patterns associated with a particular social status.
When studying child development, it was critical to study the father's role.
noun
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a part or character in a play, film, etc, to be played by an actor or actress
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psychol the part played by a person in a particular social setting, influenced by his expectation of what is appropriate
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usual or customary function
what is his role in the organization?
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of role
First recorded in 1600–10; from French rôle “roll (of paper containing the actor's part)”; see roll
Explanation
A role is a part you play. In school, you might take on the role of clown, in your family, the role of the responsible one, on stage, the role of Juliet. Role can also mean job or function. It is the role of the police to keep the community safe, and political parties often argue about the role government should play in our lives. Roles can also be played by things. You can say that computers play an increasing role in our day-to-day lives and that the role of a hat is to keep your head warm. You look up to your role model because of the important role that they play in influencing others' lives.
Vocabulary lists containing role
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Michelle Obama's Speech at the 2016 DNC
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Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 10
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Scott Bryce, the actor best known for originating the role of Craig Montgomery on the soap opera “As the World Turns,” has died.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
The lawsuit is one of the first in the U.S. to scrutinize the potential role of AI in determining layoffs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
This is a role that Iran has been intent on asserting.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
His father, Ed, portrayed Bill Bauer on the daytime drama “Guiding Light” for years, while his mother, Dorothy, was known for her role on the hospital soap “The Doctors.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
Lafayette Baker also published a book about the manhunt, exaggerating his role in the chase for Booth.
From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson
Overall, she has had 10 different jobs at six different universities over the past decade, starting with several positions when she was still a student, and then three full-time roles.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Chase was known for her versatility, demonstrated by her roles in “Lilo & Stitch” and “The Ring” in the same year.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
Across a career spanning five decades, Neill showed himself to be an actor of depth, capable of taking on a wide range of roles in films ranging from box office hits to acclaimed arthouse movies.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
Critics, including the leadership of SAG-AFTRA, counter that the displacement is already at hand in subtler ways, with background roles and commercials increasingly filled by digital doubles rather than human performers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
Nineteenth-century society dictated strict roles for women and men.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
