Spin vs. Roll — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 26, 2024
Spinning involves turning around a central axis with minimal lateral movement, while rolling involves moving by continually turning over a surface.
Difference Between Spin and Roll
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Spinning occurs when an object rotates around a central axis that stays fixed, such as a top spinning on its tip. Whereas rolling involves an object like a ball or wheel moving along a surface, where the axis itself moves along the direction of travel.
In spinning, the axis of rotation does not move through space; it remains stationary relative to the object’s mass. On the other hand, in rolling, the axis of rotation advances as the object moves over a surface, such as a wheel rolling along a road.
Objects that spin, such as gyroscopes, often use their rotation to maintain or stabilize their orientation. Whereas objects that roll, like wheels, utilize their motion to transfer or move from one place to another efficiently.
Spin can also be seen in planetary movements where planets rotate around their axes, maintaining a consistent orientation relative to their poles. In contrast, roll is observed in celestial bodies like moons or asteroids that tumble as they travel through space.
In terms of mechanics, spinning involves rotational kinetic energy with angular momentum concentrated around a central axis. Whereas rolling combines rotational and translational kinetic energy, as seen in wheels that both rotate and translate.
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Comparison Chart
Type of Movement
Rotates around a central axis
Moves by turning over a surface
Axis Location
Fixed in position
Moves along with the object
Energy Involved
Primarily rotational kinetic energy
Combination of rotational and translational kinetic energy
Common Examples
Tops, spinning plates
Wheels, balls
Physical Behavior
Used for stabilization and orientation
Used for movement and transportation
Compare with Definitions
Spin
Movement where orientation around an axis is maintained.
Earth spins on its axis every 24 hours.
Roll
To move by rotating on an axis or by repeatedly turning over.
The ball rolled down the hill.
Spin
Rotation around a central axis.
The dancer’s pirouette was a perfect spin.
Roll
Movement where the object’s surface maintains contact with another surface.
Logs roll down into the river to be transported.
Spin
A rapid turning or twisting action.
The chef used a spin technique to mix the salad quickly.
Roll
A type of physical motion associated with wheels or cylindrical objects.
The barrel rolls over the ground when pushed.
Spin
Used metaphorically to describe quick turns in situation or information.
The politician tried to spin the story to his advantage.
Roll
Continuous motion over a surface.
The car’s wheels roll smoothly on the highway.
Spin
To quickly turn around a fixed point.
The figure skater can spin multiple times in a second.
Roll
Used metaphorically to describe the start of operations or activities.
The project rolled out without any issues.
Spin
To rotate rapidly; whirl.
Roll
Move in a particular direction by turning over and over on an axis
The car rolled down into a ditch
She rolled the ball across the floor
Spin
To have a sensation of whirling, as from dizziness; reel
My head spun after I did a cartwheel.
Roll
(of a vehicle) move or run on wheels
The van was rolling along the lane
Spin
To make thread or yarn by drawing out and twisting fibers.
Roll
Turn (something flexible) over and over on itself to form a cylinder, tube, or ball
She started to roll up her sleeping bag
Spin
To extrude viscous filaments, forming a web or cocoon.
Roll
Flatten (something) by passing a roller over it or by passing it between rollers
Roll out the dough on a floured surface
Spin
To fish with a light rod, lure, and line and a reel with a stationary spool.
Roll
(of a loud, deep sound) reverberate
The first peals of thunder rolled across the sky
Spin
To cause to rotate swiftly; twirl
Spin a top.
Roll
Rob (someone, typically when they are intoxicated or asleep)
If you don't get drunk, you don't get rolled
Spin
To shape or manufacture by a twirling or rotating process.
Roll
A cylinder formed by winding flexible material round a tube or by turning it over and over on itself without folding
A roll of carpet
Spin
(Informal) To play (a recorded piece of music, such as a phonograph record), especially as a disc jockey.
Roll
A movement in which someone or something turns or is turned over on itself
A roll of the dice
Spin
To provide an interpretation of (a statement or event, for example), especially in a way meant to sway public opinion
"a messenger who spins bogus research into a vile theology of hatred" (William A. Henry III).
Roll
A prolonged, deep, reverberating sound
Thunder exploded, roll after roll
Spin
To draw out and twist (fibers) into thread.
Roll
A very small loaf of bread, to be eaten by one person
Soup with a roll
A bacon roll
Spin
To form (thread or yarn) in this manner.
Roll
An official list or register of names
The school had no one by his name on its roll
Spin
To form (a web or cocoon, for example) by extruding viscous filaments.
Roll
Undulation of the landscape
Hidden by the roll of the land was a refinery
Spin
To relate or create
Spin a story.
Roll
A roller for flattening something, especially one used to shape metal in a rolling mill.
Spin
The act of spinning.
Roll
To move forward along a surface by revolving on an axis or by repeatedly turning over.
Spin
A swift whirling motion.
Roll
To travel or be moved on wheels or rollers
Rolled down the sidewalk on their scooters.
Spin
A state of mental confusion
I've been in a spin about this all week.
Roll
To travel around; wander
Roll from town to town.
Spin
(Informal) A short drive in a vehicle
Took a spin in the new car.
Roll
To travel or be carried in a vehicle.
Spin
The flight condition of an aircraft in a nose-down, spiraling, stalled descent.
Roll
To be carried on a stream
The logs rolled down the cascading river.
Spin
A distinctive point of view, emphasis, or interpretation
"adept at putting spin on an apparently neutral recital of facts" (Robert M. Adams).
Roll
To start to move or operate
The press wouldn't roll.
Spin
A distinctive character or style
An innovative chef who puts a new spin on traditional fare.
Roll
To work or succeed in a sustained way; gain momentum
The political campaign finally began to roll.
Spin
The angular momentum of rotation of a rigid body about its own axis.
Roll
To go by; elapse
The days rolled along.
Spin
The intrinsic angular momentum of a subatomic particle. Also called spin angular momentum.
Roll
To recur. Often used with around
Summer has rolled around again.
Spin
(ergative) To rotate, revolve, gyrate (usually quickly); to partially or completely rotate to face another direction.
I spun myself around a few times.
Spin the ball on the floor.
She spun around and gave him a big smile.
Roll
To move in a periodic revolution, as a planet in its orbit.
Spin
To enter, or remain in, a spin (abnormal stalled flight mode).
Roll
To turn over and over
The puppy rolled in the mud.
Spin
To cause one's aircraft to enter or remain in a spin (abnormal stalled flight mode).
Roll
To shift the gaze usually quickly and continually
The child's eyes rolled with fright.
Spin
(transitive) To make yarn by twisting and winding fibers together.
They spin the cotton into thread.
Roll
To turn around or revolve on an axis.
Spin
(figurative) To present, describe, or interpret, or to introduce a bias or slant, so as to give something a favorable or advantageous appearance.
Roll
To move or advance with a rising and falling motion; undulate
The waves rolled toward shore.
Spin
To make the ball move sideways when it bounces on the pitch.
Roll
To extend or appear to extend in gentle rises and falls
The dunes roll to the sea.
Spin
To move sideways when bouncing.
Roll
To move or rock from side to side
The ship pitched and rolled in heavy seas.
Spin
(cooking) To form into thin strips or ribbons, as with sugar
Roll
To walk with a swaying, unsteady motion.
Spin
To form (a web, a cocoon, silk, etc.) from threads produced by the extrusion of a viscid, transparent liquid, which hardens on coming into contact with the air; said of the spider, the silkworm, etc.
Roll
(Slang) To experience periodic rushes after taking an intoxicating drug, especially MDMA.
Spin
To shape, as malleable sheet metal, into a hollow form, by bending or buckling it by pressing against it with a smooth hand tool or roller while the metal revolves, as in a lathe.
Roll
To take the shape of a ball or cylinder
Yarn rolls easily.
Spin
To move swiftly.
To spin along the road in a carriage, on a bicycle, etc.
Roll
To become flattened by pressure applied by a roller.
Spin
To stream or issue in a thread or a small current or jet.
Blood spins from a vein.
Roll
To make a deep, prolonged, surging sound
Thunder rolled in the distance.
Spin
To wait in a loop until some condition becomes true.
Roll
To make a sustained trilling sound, as certain birds do.
Spin
To play (vinyl records, etc.) as a disc jockey.
Roll
To beat a drum in a continuous series of short blows.
Spin
To use an exercise bicycle, especially as part of a gym class.
Roll
To pour, flow, or move in a continual stream
Tourists rolling into the city.
Spin
To ride a bicycle at a fast cadence.
Roll
To enjoy ample amounts
Rolled in the money.
Spin
To search rapidly.
Roll
To cause to move forward along a surface by revolving on an axis or by repeatedly turning over.
Spin
Rapid circular motion.
The car went into a spin.
The skaters demonstrated their spins.
He put some spin on the cue ball.
Roll
To move or push along on wheels or rollers
Rolled the plane out of the hangar.
Spin
(physics) A quantum angular momentum associated with subatomic particles, which also creates a magnetic moment.
Roll
To impel or send onward in a steady, swelling motion
The sea rolls its waves onto the sand.
Spin
A favourable comment or interpretation intended to bias opinion on an otherwise unpleasant situation.
Try to put a positive spin on the disappointing sales figures.
The politician was mocked in the press for his reliance on spin rather than facts.
Roll
To impart a swaying, rocking motion to
Heavy seas rolled the ship.
Spin
(sports) Rotation of the ball as it flies through the air; sideways movement of the ball as it bounces.
Roll
To turn around or partly turn around; rotate
Rolled his head toward the door.
Spin
(aviation) A condition of flight where a stalled aircraft is simultaneously pitching, yawing and rolling in a spinning motion.
Roll
To cause to begin moving or operating
Roll the cameras.
Roll the presses.
Spin
(mechanical engineering) An abnormal condition in journal bearings where the bearing seizes to the rotating shaft and rotates inside the journal, destroying both the shaft and the journal.
Roll
To extend or lay out
Rolled out a long rope.
Spin
A brief trip by vehicle, especially one made for pleasure.
I'm off out for a spin in my new sports car.
Roll
To pronounce or utter with a trill
You must roll your r's in Spanish.
Spin
A bundle of spun material; a mass of strands and filaments.
Roll
To utter or emit in full, swelling tones.
Spin
A single play of a record by a radio station.
Roll
To beat (a drum) with a continuous series of short blows.
Spin
A search of a prisoner's cell for forbidden articles.
Roll
To wrap (something) round and round upon itself or around something else. Often used with up
Roll up a poster.
Spin
(dated) An unmarried woman; a spinster.
Roll
To envelop or enfold in a covering
Roll dirty laundry in a sheet.
Spin
(uncountable) The use of an exercise bicycle, especially as part of a gym class.
Roll
To make by shaping into a ball or cylinder
Roll a cigarette.
Spin
Special interest of an autistic person.
Roll
To spread, compress, or flatten by applying pressure with a roller
Roll pastry dough.
Spin
To draw out, and twist into threads, either by the hand or machinery; as, to spin wool, cotton, or flax; to spin goat's hair; to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous material.
All the yarn she [Penelope] spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths.
Roll
(Printing) To apply ink to (type) with a roller or rollers.
Spin
To draw out tediously; to form by a slow process, or by degrees; to extend to a great length; - with out; as, to spin out large volumes on a subject.
Do you mean that story is tediously spun out?
Roll
(Games) To throw (dice), as in craps.
Spin
To protract; to spend by delays; as, to spin out the day in idleness.
By one delay after another they spin out their whole lives.
Roll
(Slang) To rob (a drunken, sleeping, or otherwise helpless person).
Spin
To cause to turn round rapidly; to whirl; to twirl; as, to spin a top.
Roll
The act or an instance of rolling.
Spin
To form (a web, a cocoon, silk, or the like) from threads produced by the extrusion of a viscid, transparent liquid, which hardens on coming into contact with the air; - said of the spider, the silkworm, etc.
Roll
Something rolled up
A roll of tape.
Spin
To shape, as malleable sheet metal, into a hollow form, by bending or buckling it by pressing against it with a smooth hand tool or roller while the metal revolves, as in a lathe.
Roll
A quantity, as of cloth or wallpaper, rolled into a cylinder and often considered as a unit of measure.
Spin
To practice spinning; to work at drawing and twisting threads; to make yarn or thread from fiber; as, the woman knows how to spin; a machine or jenny spins with great exactness.
They neither know to spin, nor care to toll.
Roll
A piece of parchment or paper that may be or is rolled up; a scroll.
Spin
To move round rapidly; to whirl; to revolve, as a top or a spindle, about its axis.
Round about him spun the landscape,Sky and forest reeled together.
With a whirligig of jubilant mosquitoes spinning about each head.
Roll
A register or a catalogue.
Spin
To stream or issue in a thread or a small current or jet; as, blood spinsfrom a vein.
Roll
A list of names of persons belonging to a group.
Spin
To move swifty; as, to spin along the road in a carriage, on a bicycle, etc.
Roll
A mass in cylindrical or rounded form
A roll of tobacco.
Spin
The act of spinning; as, the spin of a top; a spin a bicycle.
Roll
A small loaf of bread, portioned for one individual and often served as a side dish or appetizer or used to make a sandwich.
Spin
Velocity of rotation about some specified axis.
Roll
A portion of food wrapped around a filling
Cinnamon roll.
Sushi roll.
Spin
An interpretation of an event which is favorable to the interpreter or to the person s/he supports. A person whose task is to provide such interpretations for public relations purposes is called a spin doctor.
Roll
A rolling, swaying, or rocking motion.
Spin
A swift whirling motion (usually of a missile)
Roll
A gentle swell or undulation of a surface
The roll of the plains.
Spin
The act of rotating rapidly;
He gave the crank a spin
It broke off after much twisting
Roll
A deep reverberation or rumble
The roll of thunder.
Spin
A short drive in a car;
He took the new car for a spin
Roll
A rapid succession of short sounds
The roll of a drum.
Spin
Rapid descent of an aircraft in a steep spiral
Roll
A trill
The roll of his r's.
Spin
A distinctive interpretation (especially as used by politicians to sway public opinion);
The campaign put a favorable spin on the story
Roll
A resonant, rhythmical flow of words.
Spin
Revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis;
The dervishes whirl around and around without getting dizzy
Roll
A roller, especially a cylinder on which to roll something up or with which to flatten something.
Spin
Stream in jets, of liquids;
The creek spun its course through the woods
Roll
An amount of rotation around a longitudinal axis, as of an aircraft or boat.
Spin
Cause to spin;
Spin a coin
Roll
A maneuver in which an airplane makes a single complete rotation about its longitudinal axis without changing direction or losing altitude.
Spin
Make up a story;
Spin a yarn
Roll
(Slang) Money, especially a wad of paper money.
Spin
Form a web by making a thread;
Spiders spin a fine web
Roll
(transitive) To cause to revolve by turning over and over; to move by turning on an axis; to impel forward by causing to turn over and over on a supporting surface.
To roll a wheel, a ball, or a barrel.
Spin
Work natural fibers into a thread;
Spin silk
Roll
(intransitive) To turn over and over.
The child will roll on the floor.
Spin
Twist and turn so as to give an intended interpretation;
The President's spokesmen had to spin the story to make it less embarrasing
Roll
(intransitive) To tumble in gymnastics; to do a somersault.
Spin
Prolong or extend;
Spin out a visit
Roll
(transitive) To wrap (something) round on itself; to form into a spherical or cylindrical body by causing to turn over and over.
To roll a sheet of paper; to roll clay or putty into a ball.
Roll
(transitive) To bind or involve by winding, as in a bandage; to enwrap; often with up.
To roll up the map for shipping.
Roll
(intransitive) To be wound or formed into a cylinder or ball.
The cloth rolls unevenly; the snow rolls well.
Roll
(ergative) To drive or impel forward with an easy motion, as of rolling.
This river will roll its waters to the ocean.
Roll
(ergative) To utter copiously, especially with sounding words; to utter with a deep sound; — often with forth, or out.
To roll forth someone's praises; to roll out sentences.
Roll
(transitive) To press or level with a roller; to spread or form with a roll, roller, or rollers.
To roll a field;
To roll paste;
To roll steel rails.
Roll
(intransitive) To spread itself under a roller or rolling-pin.
The pastry rolls well.
Roll
(ergative) To move, or cause to be moved, upon, or by means of, rollers or small wheels.
Roll
To leave or begin a journey.
I want to get there early; let's roll.
Roll
To compete, especially with vigor.
OK guys, we're only down by two points. Let's roll!
Roll
(transitive) To beat with rapid, continuous strokes, as a drum; to sound a roll upon.
Roll
(geometry) To apply (one line or surface) to another without slipping; to bring all the parts of (one line or surface) into successive contact with another, in such a manner that at every instant the parts that have been in contact are equal.
Roll
(transitive) To turn over in one's mind; to revolve.
Roll
To behave in a certain way; to adopt a general disposition toward a situation.
I was going to kick his ass, but he wasn't worth getting all worked up over; I don't roll like that.
Roll
To throw dice.
Roll
To roll dice such that they form a given pattern or total.
If you roll doubles, you get an extra turn.
With two dice, you're more likely to roll seven than ten.
Roll
(RPG) To create a new character in a role-playing game, especially by using dice to determine properties.
I'm gonna go and roll a new shaman tonight.
Roll
To generate a random number.
Roll
To rotate about the fore-and-aft axis, causing its sides to go up and down. Compare pitch.
Roll
To travel by sailing.
Roll
(transitive) To beat up; to assault.
Roll
To cause to betray secrets or to testify for the prosecution.
The feds rolled him by giving him a free pass for most of what he'd done.
Roll
To betray secrets.
He rolled on those guys after being in jail two days.
Roll
To be under the influence of MDMA (a psychedelic stimulant, also known as ecstasy).
Roll
To (cause to) film.
The cameras are rolling.
It's time to roll the cameras.
Roll
To slip past (a defender) with the ball.
Roll
(intransitive) To have a rolling aspect.
The hills rolled on
Roll
To perform a periodical revolution; to move onward as with a revolution.
The years roll on.
Roll
(intransitive) To move, like waves or billows, with alternate swell and depression.
Roll
To move and cause an effect on someone
Roll
(intransitive) To make a loud or heavy rumbling noise.
The thunder rolled and the lightning flashed.
Roll
(transitive) To utter with an alveolar trill.
Many languages roll their r's.
Roll
To enrobe in toilet-paper (as a prank or spectacle).
The kids rolled the principal's house and yard.
Roll
(transitive) To create a customized version of.
Roll
2010, page 208, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Io7hHlVN3qQC&pg=PA208&dq=%22roll%22]
Roll
To engage in sparring in the context of jujitsu or other grappling disciplines.
Roll
To load ocean freight cargo onto a vessel other than the one it was meant to sail on.
Containers will be rolled to another mother vessel.
Roll
The act or result of rolling, or state of being rolled.
The roll of a ball
Look at the roll of the waves.
The roll of her eyes
Roll
A forward or backward roll in gymnastics; going head over heels. A tumble.
Roll
Something which rolls.
Roll
A heavy cylinder used to break clods.
Roll
One of a set of revolving cylinders, or rollers, between which metal is pressed, formed, or smoothed, as in a rolling mill.
To pass rails through the rolls
Roll
A swagger or rolling gait.
Roll
A heavy, reverberatory sound.
Hear the roll of cannon.
There was a roll of thunder and the rain began to pour down.
Roll
The uniform beating of a drum with strokes so rapid as scarcely to be distinguished by the ear.
Roll
The oscillating movement of a nautical vessel as it rotates from side to side, about its fore-and-aft axis, causing its sides to go up and down, as distinguished from the alternate rise and fall of bow and stern called pitching; or the equivalent in an aircraft.
Roll
(nautical) The measure or extent to which a vessel rotates from side to side, about its fore-and-aft axis.
Roll
The rotation angle about the longitudinal axis.
Calculate the roll of that aircraft.
Roll
An instance of the act of rolling an aircraft through one or more complete rotations about its longitudinal axis.
The pilots entertained the spectators at the airshow by doing multiple rolls.
Roll
The act of, or total resulting from, rolling one or more dice.
Make your roll.
Whoever gets the highest roll moves first.
Roll
A winning streak of continuing luck, especially at gambling and especially in the phrase on a roll.
He is on a roll tonight.
Roll
A training match for a fighting dog.
Roll
An instance of the act of righting a canoe or kayak which has capsized, without exiting the watercraft, or being assisted.
That was a good roll.
Roll
(paddlesport) The skill of righting a canoe or kayak which has capsized, without exiting the watercraft, or being assisted.
She has a bombproof roll.
Roll
(finance) Any of various financial instruments or transactions that involve opposite positions at different expiries, "rolling" a position from one expiry to another.
Roll
That which is rolled up.
A roll of fat, of wool, paper, cloth, etc.
Roll
A document written on a piece of parchment, paper, or other materials which may be rolled up; a scroll.
Roll
An official or public document; a register; a record.
Roll
A catalogue or list, (especially) one kept for official purposes.
Several people sued the state after finding out that they'd been removed from the voter rolls for having died, despite their not actually being dead.
Roll
A quantity of cloth wound into a cylindrical form.
A roll of carpeting; a roll of ribbon
Roll
A cylindrical twist of tobacco.
Roll
A kind of shortened raised biscuit or bread, often rolled or doubled upon itself; see also bread roll.
Roll
(obsolete) A part; an office; a duty; a role.
Roll
A measure of parchments, containing five dozen.
Roll
To cause to revolve by turning over and over; to move by turning on an axis; to impel forward by causing to turn over and over on a supporting surface; as, to roll a wheel, a ball, or a barrel.
Roll
To wrap round on itself; to form into a spherical or cylindrical body by causing to turn over and over; as, to roll a sheet of paper; to roll parchment; to roll clay or putty into a ball.
Roll
To bind or involve by winding, as in a bandage; to inwrap; - often with up; as, to roll up a parcel.
Roll
To drive or impel forward with an easy motion, as of rolling; as, a river rolls its waters to the ocean.
The flood of Catholic reaction was rolled over Europe.
Roll
To utter copiously, esp. with sounding words; to utter with a deep sound; - often with forth, or out; as, to roll forth some one's praises; to roll out sentences.
Who roll'd the psalm to wintry skies.
Roll
To press or level with a roller; to spread or form with a roll, roller, or rollers; as, to roll a field; to roll paste; to roll steel rails, etc.
Roll
To move, or cause to be moved, upon, or by means of, rollers or small wheels.
Roll
To beat with rapid, continuous strokes, as a drum; to sound a roll upon.
Roll
To apply (one line or surface) to another without slipping; to bring all the parts of (one line or surface) into successive contact with another, in suck manner that at every instant the parts that have been in contact are equal.
Roll
To turn over in one's mind; to revolve.
Full oft in heart he rolleth up and downThe beauty of these florins new and bright.
Roll
To move, as a curved object may, along a surface by rotation without sliding; to revolve upon an axis; to turn over and over; as, a ball or wheel rolls on the earth; a body rolls on an inclined plane.
And her foot, look you, is fixed upon a spherical stone, which rolls, and rolls, and rolls.
Roll
To move on wheels; as, the carriage rolls along the street.
Roll
To be wound or formed into a cylinder or ball; as, the cloth rolls unevenly; the snow rolls well.
Roll
To fall or tumble; - with over; as, a stream rolls over a precipice.
Roll
To perform a periodical revolution; to move onward as with a revolution; as, the rolling year; ages roll away.
Roll
To turn; to move circularly.
And his red eyeballs roll with living fire.
Roll
To move, as waves or billows, with alternate swell and depression.
What different sorrows did within thee roll.
Roll
To incline first to one side, then to the other; to rock; as, there is a great difference in ships about rolling; in a general semse, to be tossed about.
Twice ten tempestuous nights I rolled.
Roll
To turn over, or from side to side, while lying down; to wallow; as, a horse rolls.
Roll
To spread under a roller or rolling-pin; as, the paste rolls well.
Roll
To beat a drum with strokes so rapid that they can scarcely be distinguished by the ear.
Roll
To make a loud or heavy rumbling noise; as, the thunder rolls.
Man shall not suffer his wife go roll about.
Roll
The act of rolling, or state of being rolled; as, the roll of a ball; the roll of waves.
Roll
That which rolls; a roller.
Roll
That which is rolled up; as, a roll of fat, of wool, paper, cloth, etc.
Busy angels spreadThe lasting roll, recording what we say.
Roll
Hence, an official or public document; a register; a record; also, a catalogue; a list.
The rolls of Parliament, the entry of the petitions, answers, and transactions in Parliament, are extant.
The roll and list of that army doth remain.
Roll
A kind of shortened raised biscuit or bread, often rolled or doubled upon itself.
Roll
A quantity of cloth wound into a cylindrical form; as, a roll of carpeting; a roll of ribbon.
Roll
The oscillating movement of a vessel from side to side, in sea way, as distinguished from the alternate rise and fall of bow and stern called pitching.
Roll
A heavy, reverberatory sound; as, the roll of cannon, or of thunder.
Roll
The uniform beating of a drum with strokes so rapid as scarcely to be distinguished by the ear.
Roll
Part; office; duty; rôle.
Roll
Rotary motion of an object around its own axis;
Wheels in axial rotation
Roll
A list of names;
His name was struck off the rolls
Roll
A long heavy sea wave as it advances towards the shore
Roll
Photographic film rolled up inside a container to protect it from light
Roll
A round shape formed by a series of concentric circles
Roll
A roll of currency notes (often taken as the resources of a person or business etc.);
He shot his roll on a bob-tailed nag
Roll
Small rounded bread either plain or sweet
Roll
A deep prolonged sound (as of thunder or large bells)
Roll
The sound of a drum (especially a snare drum) beaten rapidly and continuously
Roll
A document that can be rolled up (as for storage)
Roll
Anything rolled up in cylindrical form
Roll
The act of throwing dice
Roll
Walking with a rolling gait
Roll
A flight maneuver; aircraft rotates about its longitudinal axis without changing direction or losing altitude
Roll
The act of rolling something (as the ball in bowling)
Roll
Move by turning over or rotating;
The child rolled down the hill
Turn over on your left side
Roll
Move along on or as if on wheels or a wheeled vehicle;
The President's convoy rolled past the crowds
Roll
Occur in soft rounded shapes;
The hills rolled past
Roll
Flatten or spread with a roller;
Roll out the paper
Roll
Emit, produce, or utter with a deep prolonged reverberating sound;
The thunder rolled
Rolling drums
Roll
Wrap or coil around;
Roll your hair around your finger
Twine the thread around the spool
Roll
Begin operating or running;
The cameras were rolling
The presses are already rolling
Roll
Shape by rolling;
Roll a cigarette
Roll
Execute a roll, in tumbling;
The gymnasts rolled and jumped
Roll
Sell something to or obtain something from by energetic and especially underhanded activity
Roll
Move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion;
The curtains undulated
The waves rolled towards the beach
Roll
Move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment;
The gypsies roamed the woods
Roving vagabonds
The wandering Jew
The cattle roam across the prairie
The laborers drift from one town to the next
They rolled from town to town
Roll
Move, rock, or sway from side to side;
The ship rolled on the heavy seas
Roll
Cause to move by turning over or in a circular manner of as if on an axis;
She rolled the ball
They rolled their eyes at his words
Roll
Pronounce with a roll, of the phoneme /r/;
She rolls her r's
Roll
Boil vigorously;
The liquid was seething
The water rolled
Roll
Take the shape of a roll or cylinder;
The carpet rolled out
Yarn rolls well
Roll
Show certain properties when being rolled;
The carpet rolls unevenly
Dried-out tobacco rolls badly
Common Curiosities
Can objects both spin and roll at the same time?
Yes, objects like car tires spin around their hubs while rolling along the road.
What are common examples of rolling?
Examples include a rolling ball, wheels on a vehicle, or a rolling pin in baking.
What is spinning?
Spinning is the act of an object rotating around a central, stationary axis.
What does it mean to roll?
Rolling refers to the movement of an object along a surface by turning over its axis.
Is spinning faster than rolling?
The speed depends on the object and force applied; however, spinning is generally focused on rotational speed, not traversal.
Why is rolling important in transportation?
Rolling reduces friction and allows for smoother and more efficient movement over surfaces.
What kind of energy is involved in spinning?
Spinning primarily involves rotational kinetic energy.
What are common examples of spinning?
Common examples include a spinning top, a rotating fan, or a turning merry-go-round.
How do physics define these movements?
Physics defines spinning by rotation around an axis and rolling by both rotation and translation of that axis.
What kind of energy is involved in rolling?
Rolling involves both rotational kinetic energy and translational kinetic energy.
What sports involve spinning?
Sports involving spinning include figure skating, gymnastics, and discus throw.
How do animals utilize these movements?
Animals may spin parts of their bodies for orientation or display, while rolling is less common but can be used in play or evasion.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
