privateer

noun

pri·​va·​teer ˌprī-və-ˈtir 

: an armed private ship licensed to attack enemy shipping

also : a sailor on such a ship

privateer intransitive verb

Examples of privateer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During America's quasi-war with France in 1798, Talbot finally got command of his own ship, capturing several French privateers and convoying American merchant ships aboard the USS Constitution. — Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026

Named for privateer Jean Lafitte, who aided American forces during the War of 1812, the park preserves cultural traditions alongside fragile ecosystems. — Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026

Ross’ second husband, mariner Joseph Ashburn, served the Revolution as a privateer and died in an English prison. — Marla Miller, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026

These men were, respectively, a reformist prime minister, the founder of the police force, a naval explorer and a privateer. — Simon Constable, FOXNews.com, 22 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1641, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for privateer

• auctioneer
• bandelier
• belvedere
• bombardier
• brigadier
• buccaneer
• cavalier
• chandelier
• chanticleer
• chevalier
• commandeer
• disappear

Kids Definition

privateer

1 of 2 noun

pri·​va·​teer

ˌprī-və-ˈti(ə)r

1

: an armed private ship permitted by its government to make war on ships of an enemy country

2

: a sailor on a privateer

privateer

2 of 2 verb

: to cruise in or as a privateer