Roster Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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roster

[หˆrษ’stษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

sports

A list or register of players on a sports team.

Synonyms

lineup, squad, team.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
roster

Typically used in formal or professional settings to list members of a group, often seen in contexts like sports teams, work assignments, or event participants.

  • The coach released the team's roster for the upcoming season.
  • Check the roster to see if you're scheduled to work this weekend.
lineup

Commonly used in sports and entertainment to refer to the arrangement or selection of participants, players, or performers in a specific order.

  • The band's lineup for the concert has just been announced.
  • The coach is still deciding on the final lineup for the match.
squad

Often used in informal or casual settings, especially in sports or military contexts. It can also refer to a close group of friends or teammates.

  • The squad is meeting up for practice later.
  • Our squad has been preparing for the tournament for weeks.
team

A broad term used in both formal and informal settings to refer to a group of people working together towards a common goal, used in sports, work, and other cooperative activities.

  • The team worked late to finish the project on time.
  • She plays on the school's soccer team.

Examples of usage

  • The coach updated the roster for the upcoming game.
  • The team captain checked the roster to see who was available for the match.
Context #2 | Noun

education

A list of students enrolled in a particular course or school.

Synonyms

list, register, roll.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
roster

Often used to refer to a list of names, especially in sports teams, military units, or organizational contexts.

  • The coach posted the roster for the upcoming game.
  • Check the roster to see who's on duty next week.
register

Typically used to denote an official or formal record of names or events, often maintained by an institution.

  • Guests must sign the register upon arrival.
  • He checked the voter register to confirm his eligibility.
list

A general term that can be used in various contexts to refer to a collection of items, names, or tasks.

  • I need to make a grocery list.
  • He compiled a list of his favorite books.
roll

Commonly used in formal settings, such as schools, organizations, or official records, to refer to a list of names.

  • The teacher called the roll at the beginning of the class.
  • He was proud to see his name on the honor roll.

Examples of usage

  • The professor distributed the class roster to all students.
  • The school administrator updated the roster with new student information.
Context #3 | Noun

business

A list of employees in a company or organization.

Synonyms

personnel list, staff list, workforce roster.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
roster

Typically used for listing names and roles of people scheduled for specific duties or activities, often in a casual or sports-related setting.

  • The coach posted the team's roster for the upcoming season.
  • The conference attendee roster was shared with all participants.
staff list

Used specifically within organizations to list all members of staff, typically seen in internal communications or organizational charts.

  • Refer to the staff list to find out who is working in the IT department.
  • The office manager updated the staff list with new hires.
workforce roster

Employed in describing the schedule and distribution of work among employees, often in industries that require precise shift planning such as healthcare or manufacturing.

  • The hospital updated the workforce roster to accommodate the night shift.
  • The manager checked the workforce roster to ensure all shifts were covered.
personnel list

Common in formal or corporate settings to describe a detailed list of employees or members of an organization, often indicating their roles and departments.

  • Please refer to the personnel list to find the contact person in HR.
  • The personnel list will be audited for compliance.

Examples of usage

  • The HR department maintains the company's employee roster.
  • The manager reviewed the roster to assign tasks for the week.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Education

  • In schools, rosters help teachers keep track of students and their assignments in classes.
  • Athletic teams rely on rosters to manage player participation and game strategy.
  • Some colleges use digital rosters to allow students to see which classes they are enrolled in.

Sports

  • Professional sports teams utilize rosters to declare their players for the season, ensuring fans know who to cheer for.
  • In sports, a 'roster spot' refers to a place available for a player on a team, which can create competition during tryouts.
  • In fantasy sports, having a solid understanding of player rosters can significantly influence a player's success.

Pop Culture

  • TV shows like 'Survivor' use a roster of contestants to monitor their performances week by week.
  • The cast roster for movies and series helps the audience connect with their favorite actors and characters.
  • Many social media platforms have begun sharing user 'rosters' showcasing followers and engagements.

Technology

  • Digital project management tools often include roster functionality to assign tasks to team members.
  • Online gaming platforms use rosters to track player statistics and team compositions during tournaments.
  • In cloud computing, a user roster might define access permissions and roles within an organization.

Origin of 'roster'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'roster' comes from the Old French term 'roster', meaning to draw up or list names.
  • Its use in English became popular in the military context in the late 19th century, where it referred to a list of soldiers.
  • Originally, the term was associated with the act of 'roster' in French, meaning to register.

The word 'roster' originated in the early 18th century from the Dutch word 'rooster' meaning 'gridiron, list.' It was first used in English to refer to a list of duties or menial tasks. Over time, the meaning evolved to include lists of people for various purposes, such as sports teams, schools, and businesses.


See also: rostering.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,576, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.