roasted; roasting; roasts
1
a
: to cook by exposing to dry heat (as in an oven or before a fire) or by surrounding with hot embers, sand, or stones
roast a potato in ashes
b
: to process a raw coffee bean by drying, heating to temperatures typically between 380-450°F (190-230°C) for seven to twenty minutes, and quickly cooling to room temperature to achieve a desired level of roast (see roast entry 2 sense 3)
… roasting coffee brings out flavor, aroma, and character; it also evaporates moisture.—
Lisa Kolb Ruland
Lisa Kolb Ruland2
: to heat to excess
roasted by the summer sun
3
: to subject to severe criticism or ridicule
The film was roasted by critics and isn't fondly remembered …—John Fox
John Fox4
: to honor (a person) at a roast (see roast entry 2 sense 5)
5
metallurgy
: to heat (inorganic material) in air and without fusing (as to oxidize sulfides or eliminate volatile matter)
Zinc is refined from its ore by roasting finely crushed zinc blende … in a furnace.—Daniel A. Brandt
Daniel A. Brandt1
: to cook food by heat
Once you've tossed the potatoes in your chosen fat, you're ready to roast.—Fionnula Hainey
Fionnula Hainey2
: to undergo the process of being roasted
left the potatoes in the oven to roast
—often used figurativelyWe roasted in the stuffy classroom.
plural roasts
2
: a gathering at which food is roasted before an open fire or in hot ashes or sand
was invited to a pig roast
3
: the distinctive quality or character of a coffee bean that typically includes its darkness, aroma, and flavor and is determined by the degree of roasting (see roast entry 1 sense 1b)
The difference in coffee roasts is in their levels of oil, caffeine, and acidity.—Clark Nowlin
see also dark roast, light roast, medium roast
Clark Nowlin4
: an act or instance of severe banter or criticism
… did not hold back in his roast of Washington politics …, saving jabs for both parties.—Kaanita Iyer
Kaanita Iyer5
: a banquet honoring a person who is subjected to humorous tongue-in-cheek ridicule by friends
Tennis ace Boris Becker wasn't on the dais at the North Miami celebrity roast of aging bad boy Ilie Nastase, so he could observe the rites with a certain detachment.—Tim Allis
Tim AllisSynonyms
Examples of roast in a Sentence
Verb
The chicken is roasting in the oven.
We roasted the peanuts over the fire.
The peanuts roasted over the fire.
We were roasting in the hot sun.
The movie is being roasted by the critics.
Noun
She made a roast for dinner.
We're having pork roast for dinner.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
Serves 4 to 6 3 pounds Brussels sprouts, halved
Olive oil for roasting and sautéing
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups pecan pieces
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup aged balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
—Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 20 Nov. 2024
Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
The meal features a 16- to 18-pound roast turkey and eight sides including classics like homemade Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes with Giblet Gravy, and Sweet Potatoes topped with Marshmallows & Maple Syrup, For $30, an Apple or Pumpkin Pie can be added.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 7 Sep. 2023
Thick slices of roast paan form a hearty base for a fuss-free sandwich eaten on the go.
—Vidya Balachander, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for roast 
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Verb
Add Broth Stir 1 cup broth into pan drippings from roasted turkey in roasting pan, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pan.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
Serves 4 to 6 3 pounds Brussels sprouts, halved
Olive oil for roasting and sautéing
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups pecan pieces
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup aged balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
—Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
Classic roast turkey with turkey gravy is served with sea salt & cracked pepper green beans, creamy mashed russet potatoes, classic holiday herb stuffing and cranberry orange sauce.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
The meal features a 16- to 18-pound roast turkey and eight sides including classics like homemade Cranberry Sauce, Mashed Potatoes with Giblet Gravy, and Sweet Potatoes topped with Marshmallows & Maple Syrup, For $30, an Apple or Pumpkin Pie can be added.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
There will be roast duck with flaky scallion tortillas in the style of fajitas and an onsite smoker turning out Chinese sticky ribs.
—Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 7 Sep. 2023
Thick slices of roast paan form a hearty base for a fuss-free sandwich eaten on the go.
—Vidya Balachander, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for roast
Articles Related to roast
Dictionary Entries Near roast
Cite this Entry
“Roast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roast. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
roast
1 of 3 verb1
: to cook with dry heat (as in an oven)
2
: to be or make very hot
3
: to criticize severely in either a serious or joking way
roast
2 of 3 noun1
: a piece of meat roasted or suitable for roasting
2
: an outing at which food is roasted
3
: severe criticism or kidding
roast
3 of 3 adjective
: cooked by roasting
roast beef
roast pork
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