spotter

noun

spot·​ter ˈspä-tər 

1

: one that makes or applies a spot (as for identification)

2

: one that looks or keeps watch: such as

a

: one that locates enemy targets

b

: a civilian who watches for approaching airplanes

c

: a person who assists another during exercise (as to prevent injury)

3

: one that removes spots

4

: one that places something on or in a desired spot

Examples of spotter in a Sentence

When you lift weights, you should always have a spotter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, a severe thunderstorm warning means severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar and indicates imminent danger to life and property. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025

If a tornado warning is issued, that means severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar, according to the weather service. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025

Both instances gave me pause as far as the league’s concussion spotter and how that worked. —Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 20 May 2025

As of March 14, the locations of 12 vessels were publicly available via military disclosures, as well as via open-source imagery captured by satellites or ship spotters. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spotter

• talent spotter
• trend spotter

Rhymes for spotter

• blotter
• cotter
• daughter
• hotter
• mater
• otter
• plotter
• rotter
• slaughter
• squatter
• totter
• trotter

Kids Definition

spotter

noun

spot·​ter ˈspät-ər 

1

: a person who removes spots

2

: a person who keeps watch : observer

3

: a person who helps another during exercise (as to prevent injury)