roe

¹ American  

[roh] / roʊ /

noun

1. the mass of eggs, or spawn, within the ovarian membrane of the female fish.

2. the milt or sperm of the male fish.

3. the eggs of any of various crustaceans, as the coral of the lobster.

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roe ² American  

[roh] / roʊ /

noun

plural

roes,

plural

roe

1. roe deer.

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ROE ³ American  

Accounting.

1. return on equity.

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roe ¹ British  

/ rəʊ /

noun

1. short for roe deer

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roe ² British  

/ rəʊ /

noun

1. Also called: hard roe.  the ovary of a female fish filled with mature eggs

2. Also called: soft roe.  the testis of a male fish filled with mature sperm

3. the ripe ovary of certain crustaceans, such as the lobster

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Roe ³ British  

/ rəʊ /

noun

1. law (formerly) the defendant in a fictitious action, Doe versus Roe, to test a point of law See also Doe

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roe Scientific  

/ rō /

1. The eggs of a fish, often together with the membrane of the ovary in which they are held.

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Etymology

Origin of roe¹

1400–50; late Middle English rowe; cognate with Old High German rogo

Origin of roe²

before 900; Middle English roo, Old English rā, rāha; cognate with German Reh

Example Sentences

Ongoing analysis has identified footprints of red deer, roe deer and other animals as well as humans.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

A first course of kampachi arrived dressed with arctic char roe, ground cherry, serrano, ponzu, and cucumber — buttery and delicate, with a bright, precise balance that lingered just long enough.

From Salon • Jan. 13, 2026

In the wild they prey on roe deer, young red deer and also hares and rabbits.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2025

Red urchins are favored over the purple urchins because they contain more edible uni or roe inside, but commercial divers say the amount has shrunk with less kelp.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 8, 2023

They broke their fast with warm soft flatbread, pink fish roe, honey sausage, and fried locusts, washed down with a bittersweet black ale.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin