Role/rəʊl/ Definition 1 of 4Pro Tip 1/3Beyond Profession Role can imply temporary or situational duties, not just one's job. He took on the role of mediator during the negotiations. Pro Tip 2/3Implied Importance Describing someone’s role often suggests they're important within that context. Her role in the team cannot be underestimated. Pro Tip 3/3Active Involvement Using 'play a role' denotes active participation in a situation. He plays a crucial role in our research.