1
: a person who trains someone or something: such as
a
: one whose occupation is to guide or instruct people in fitness and exercise routines
a personal trainer
When we run the track, Stan Ward, a boxing and conditioning trainer, times us.—
Bridgett Riley
Bridgett Riley
b
: one who oversees the training of animals
a dog/horse trainer
A trainer uses the clicker to create an auditory cue that marks a particular behavior and then rewards the dog with a treat.—C. C. Holland
C. C. Holland2
: a person who treats the ailments and minor injuries of the members of an athletic team
… he landed so hard that the wind was knocked out of him. He lay writhing on the ground as Herm Schneider, the team trainer, rushed to his side.—William Nack
William Nack3
: something (such as a machine or vehicle) used in training see also elliptical trainer
4
chiefly British
: sneaker sense 2
They wore trainers, scuffed and old, with the laces loose and the tongues protruding in defiance at the ankle.—M. J. Trow
M. J. TrowExamples of trainer in a Sentence
the boxer and his trainer
She hired a personal trainer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Each workout lasted two hours and included strength training, plus 20 minutes on both the StairMaster and cross trainer.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Lassie was wholly concentrated on the trainers.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Ireland’s Aidan O’Brien and California’s Bob Baffert are poised to take the Breeders’ Cup lead for wins by a trainer.
—Kevin Modesti, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
According to its website, the company aims to improve athletic performance and reduce injuries by producing sports-specific wearables that offer actionable data to athletes, coaches and trainers.
—Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trainer
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Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Lassie was wholly concentrated on the trainers.
—NPR, 25 Oct. 2025
Ireland’s Aidan O’Brien and California’s Bob Baffert are poised to take the Breeders’ Cup lead for wins by a trainer.
—Kevin Modesti, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025
According to its website, the company aims to improve athletic performance and reduce injuries by producing sports-specific wearables that offer actionable data to athletes, coaches and trainers.
—Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trainer
Cite this Entry
“Trainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trainer. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trainer
noun
train·er
ˈtrān-ər 
1
: one that trains
2
: a person who treats the minor ailments and injuries of the members of an athletic team
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