role

[ rohl ]

noun

1. a part or character played by an actor or actress.
2. proper or customary function:

   the role of religion in society.

   Synonyms: duty, responsibility, position, function, capacity, part, character

3. 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.

4. 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.

role

/ rəʊl /

noun

1. a part or character in a play, film, etc, to be played by an actor or actress
2. psychol the part played by a person in a particular social setting, influenced by his expectation of what is appropriate
3. usual or customary function

   what is his role in the organization?

Other Words From

• mul·ti·role adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of role¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from French rôle “roll (of paper containing the actor's part)”; roll

Word History and Origins

Origin of role¹

C17: from French rôle roll , an actor's script

Example Sentences

LRAs are a critical component of HIV cure research due to their role in what is called "kick and kill," the idea that HIV can be reawakened and actively targeted to eliminate the viral reservoir.

From Science Daily

Teal, who also appeared on stage in “Newsies,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Rent,” first starred in the short film “First Memory” and spent much of his career in supporting roles.

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors said he played a small role in the fraud and did not create the computer code that enabled it.

From Salon

Mr Welby announced last Tuesday that he would step down from the role after a review found he "could and should" have reported a prolific child abuser to police.

From BBC

But he said it's not his job to be a role model.

From BBC

Related Words

• act
• business
• job
• part
• position
• post
• task