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.

To cook by surrounding with hot embers, ashes, sand, etc.; as, to roast a potato in ashes.

To dry and parch by exposure to heat; as, to roast coffee; to roast chestnuts, or peanuts.

Hence, to heat to excess; to heat violently; to burn.

subject to laughter or ridicule; "The satirists ridiculed the plans for a new opera house"; "The students poked fun at the inexperienced teacher"; "His former students roasted the professor at his 60th birthday"

an event where an individual is ridiculed for

a strange American tradition in which peole ridicule the guest of honor

An event where the guest of honor is ridiculed and teased in a good-natured, comical manner.