Definition of roast

• v. t. - To cook by exposure to radiant heat before a fire; as, to roast meat on a spit, or in an oven open toward the fire and having reflecting surfaces within; also, to cook in a close oven.
• v. t. - To cook by surrounding with hot embers, ashes, sand, etc.; as, to roast a potato in ashes.
• v. t. - To dry and parch by exposure to heat; as, to roast coffee; to roast chestnuts, or peanuts.
• v. t. - Hence, to heat to excess; to heat violently; to burn.
• v. t. - To dissipate by heat the volatile parts of, as ores.
• v. t. - To banter severely.
• v. i. - To cook meat, fish, etc., by heat, as before the fire or in an oven.
• v. i. - To undergo the process of being roasted.
• n. - That which is roasted; a piece of meat which has been roasted, or is suitable for being roasted.
• a. - Roasted; as, roast beef.