roster

noun

ros·​ter ˈrä-stər 

also ˈrȯ-

or ˈrō-

1

a

: a roll or list of personnel

b

: such a list giving the order in which a duty is to be performed

a duty roster

c

: the persons listed on a roster

2

: an itemized list

Synonyms of roster

• list
• listing

Examples of roster in a Sentence

His name has been added to the team roster.

The team has a roster of 40 players.

Recent Examples on the Web

Depending on how active the San Jose Sharks are in NHL free agency and the trade market this summer, one or two spots on the 2026-27 roster could be available for defensemen who played mainly with the AHL’s Barracuda this past season. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026

College basketball is gaining stronger rosters and older stars. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026

Mullins hopes to improve as a vocal leader as well, being one of three returning rotation players on the roster. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026

As that happens, LIV will also need to work to maintain its current roster of players, perhaps most most importantly, Bryson DeChambeau. —Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Dutch rooster, literally, gridiron; from the parallel lines

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for roster

• coster
• zoster
• exhauster
• imposter
• impostor

Kids Definition

roster

noun

ros·​ter ˈräs-tər 

: a list usually of people belonging to some group