Definition

1. Noun:
   • A cylindrical device that rotates or revolves: A mechanical object, often a tube or cylinder, designed to roll, rotate, or apply pressure by turning.
   • A long, swelling wave: A large, heavy wave in the sea that moves forward with a rolling motion.
   • A type of bird: A bird, such as a species of the Coraciidae family (like the European Roller) known for aerial acrobatics, or a breed of domestic pigeon that performs tumbling rolls in flight.
   • A hair curler: A cylindrical device around which hair is wound to create curls.
   • A ground ball in baseball: A batted ball in baseball or softball that travels along the ground.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Cylindrical Device):
  • They used a heavy roller to flatten the asphalt on the road.
  • The printer's ink roller needs to be cleaned.
• Noun (Wave):
  • The powerful rollers crashed against the cliffs during the storm.
• Noun (Bird):
  • We saw a brightly colored European roller perched on the fence.
  • His hobby is breeding and flying roller pigeons.
• Noun (Hair Curler):
  • She put her hair in rollers before going to bed.
• Noun (Baseball):
  • The batter hit a slow roller to the shortstop.

Advanced Usage

• "On a roller": Experiencing a period of consistent success or momentum, often in sports or business.
  • The team is on a roller, having won ten games in a row.
• Technical/Industrial Context: Refers to specific parts in machinery, like conveyor belt rollers, paint rollers, or the rollers in a garage door mechanism.

Variants and Related Words

• Rollerblade®: A brand name for inline skates, often used generically.
• Rollercoaster: A type of amusement ride with sharp curves and steep slopes; metaphorically, a situation with alternating periods of excitement and difficulty.
• Roller skate: A shoe or boot with wheels attached for gliding over a surface.
• Rollerball: A type of pen that uses a rolling ball to dispense ink; also a sport.
• Roller bandage: A long strip of gauze wound into a cylindrical roll for medical use.

Synonyms

• Cylinder: A solid or hollow figure with circular ends and straight sides.
• Wave: A long body of water curling into an arched form.
• Curler: A device for curling hair.
• Grounder: A batted ball in baseball that rolls or bounces along the ground.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Compounds

(Note: "Roller" itself is not typically used in phrasal verbs. The related verb "roll" forms phrasal verbs.) - Roller derby: A contact sport played on roller skates. - Roller mill: A machine for grinding or crushing using cylindrical rollers.

Related Idioms

• Like a roller: Moving or progressing smoothly and steadily.
  • The project has been moving along like a roller since the new manager took over.
• Between the roller and the hard place: A less common variant of "between a rock and a hard place," meaning in a difficult situation with two equally unpleasant choices.

Noun

1. pigeon that executes backward somersaults in flight or on the ground
2. Old World bird that tumbles or rolls in flight; related to kingfishers
3. a mechanical device consisting of a cylindrical tube around which the hair is wound to curl it
   • a woman with her head full of curlers is not a pretty sight
4. a cylinder that revolves
5. a small wheel without spokes (as on a roller skate)
6. a long heavy sea wave as it advances towards the shore
7. a grounder that rolls along the infield