cockroach

noun

cock·​roach ˈkäk-ˌrōch How to pronounce cockroach (audio)
: any of an order or suborder (Blattodea synonym Blattaria) of chiefly nocturnal insects including some that are domestic pests compare german cockroach

Examples of cockroach in a Sentence

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.
Inspectors observed a dead cockroach in the corner of the walk-in cooler. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2026 Turkestan cockroaches prefer not to live inside your home, but may enter at night in search of food or water. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026 Scorpions, snakes and cockroaches were on the lounge chairs with the Grim Reaper serving a drink. — Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026 In theory, this means cockroach cosmonauts may not actually be all that far-fetched. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cockroach

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from Spanish cucaracha cockroach

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cockroach was in 1616

Phrases Containing cockroach

Rhymes for cockroach

See All Rhymes for cockroach

Browse Nearby Words

cockpit voice recorder
cockroach
cock robin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cockroach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cockroach. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cockroach

noun
cock·​roach -ˌrōch How to pronounce cockroach (audio)
: any of an order of quick-moving insects that have long antennae and leathery forewings, are mainly nocturnal, and include pests of human dwellings

Medical Definition

cockroach

noun
cock·​roach ˈkäk-ˌrōch How to pronounce cockroach (audio)
: any of an order or suborder (Blattodea synonym Blattaria) of chiefly nocturnal insects including some that are domestic pests see blatta, blattella, periplaneta

More from Merriam-Webster on cockroach

Nglish: Translation of cockroach for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cockroach

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