# perch

/ˈpɝtʃ/ (US) · /pˈɜːtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/perch
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a type of fish

noun · CEFR B2

a common freshwater fish that people often catch for food.

For teachers: any of various spiny-finned freshwater fish, particularly those belonging to the genus Perca.

- The fisherman caught a large perch in the lake behind his house.
- Yellow perch are highly valued by anglers in the Great Lakes region for both their sporting qualities and their flavor.

### 2. a bird's resting place

noun · CEFR B2

a branch or bar where a bird sits or sleeps.

For teachers: a rod, branch, or ledge used by a bird for roosting or resting.

- The parrot returned to its wooden perch inside the cage.
- The eagle scanned the valley from its rocky perch high above the tree line.

### 4. theatre lighting

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a high platform or bar used to hold lights for a stage performance.

For teachers: a platform or horizontal bar positioned at the side of a stage to support lighting equipment.

- The technician climbed up to the perch to adjust the spotlight.
- The lighting designer requested additional lanterns on the side perches to create a more dramatic silhouette for the lead actor.

### 5. to sit on the edge

verb · CEFR B2

to sit or balance on the edge of something high or narrow.

For teachers: to rest or settle on a high or precarious spot; often used intransitively.

- She perched on the edge of the stool, ready to leave at any moment.
- A small village perched precariously on the cliffside, overlooking the crashing waves of the Atlantic.

## Examples

- The bird returned to its perch on the fence.
- From her perch on the balcony, she could watch the entire parade pass through the square.
- The cat watched the garden from a high perch atop the bookshelf, waiting for any sign of movement near the window.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.