- the greatest of the legendary 12 peers (paladins, of whom Oliver was another) in attendance on Charlemagne; he died in battle at Roncesvalles (778 ad)
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
Ro•land
(rō′lənd),USA pronunciation n.
- Literature, MythologyItalian, Orlando. the greatest of the paladins in the Charlemagne cycle of the chansons de geste, renowned for his prowess and the manner of his death in the battle of Roncesvalles (a.d.778), also for his five days' combat with Oliver in which neither was the victor.
- a Roland for an Oliver, retaliation or a retort equal to its provocation;
a blow for a blow. - a male given name: from Germanic words meaning "glory'' and "land.''
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
Roland /ˈrəʊlənd/ n
'Roland' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):