noun

role

Translation

role, part, function

She has a leading role in the play.

What is your role in this project?

Parents play an important role in education.

((a/the role)) ((of sth./sb.)) the function of someone or something. He played the role of the hero.

((to play a role)) ((in sth.)) to have an influence on something. Technology plays a big role in our lives.

Synonyms: part, function, position

From French 'rôle', originally referring to the roll of paper on which an actor's part was written.

Imagine an actor reading from a paper 'roll' to learn their 'role'. This connects it to the word 'roll'.