Roman

1 of 3

noun (1)

Ro·​man ˈrō-mən How to pronounce Roman (audio)
1
a
: a native or resident of Rome
b
: a citizen of ancient Rome or of the Roman Empire
2
often offensive : roman catholic
3
roman : roman letters or type

Roman

2 of 3

adjective

1
: of or relating to Rome or the people of Rome
specifically : characteristic of the ancient Romans
Roman fortitude
2
a
: latin sense 1a
b
: of or relating to the Latin alphabet
3
roman : of or relating to a type style with upright characters compare italic
4
: of or relating to the see of Rome or the Roman Catholic Church
5
: having a semicircular intrados
Roman arch
6
: having a prominent slightly aquiline bridge
a Roman nose

roman

3 of 3

noun (2)

ro·​man rō-ˈmäⁿ How to pronounce roman (audio)
: a metrical romance

Examples of Roman in a Sentence

Noun (1) The type should be set in roman.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
An ancient Roman fort discovered in a remote part of Wales could help unravel a centuries-old legend about a Roman emperor — and may have accommodated as many as 1,000 soldiers, the archaeologist behind the discovery told Fox News Digital. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Marking its 40th anniversary, the brand hosted a party for about 10,000 of its employees last month at the Roman amphitheater Arena di Verona. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026 Dinner is equally well curated with Roman staples and creative proteins. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 The play follows a press secretary to the Roman emperors, played by Annaleigh Ashford in the New York production opposite Joe Tapper as a journalist, with Christopher Ryan Grant as a nameless imperial official. — Mariah Kreutter, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026 In 1517 a Roman Catholic monk and theologian named Martin Luther did something that would eventually split Western Christianity. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Oct. 2026 The Roman torso statue accounted for more than half of last night’s $63 million haul. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Sánchez belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 with a presence in 80 countries. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

partly from Middle English, from Old English, from Latin Romanus, adjective & noun, from Roma Rome; partly from Middle English Romain, from Anglo-French, from Latin Romanus

Noun (2)

French, from Old French romans romance

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1765, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Roman was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing Roman

Rhymes for Roman

See All Rhymes for Roman

Browse Nearby Words

romal
Roman
roman
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Roman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Roman. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Roman

1 of 2 noun
Ro·​man ˈrō-mən How to pronounce Roman (audio)
1
a
: a person born or living in Rome
b
: a citizen of the Roman Empire
2
not capitalized : roman letters or type

Roman

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of or relating to Rome or the Romans or the empire of which Rome was the original capital
2
a
: latin entry 1 sense 2
b
: of or relating to the Latin language
3
not capitalized : of or relating to a type style with upright characters (as in "these definitions")
4
: of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church
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