riser

noun

ris·​er ˈrī-zər How to pronounce riser (audio)
1
: one that rises (as from sleep)
2
: the upright member between two stair treads
3
: a stage platform on which performers are placed for greater visibility
4
: a vertical pipe (as for water or gas) or a vertical portion of an electric wiring system
5
: one of the straps that connects a parachutist's harness with the shroud lines

Examples of riser in a Sentence

The school choir stood on the risers for the concert.
Recent Examples on the Web Afterward, everyone trundles over to the studio and piles onto risers like middle-school kids at chorus rehearsal. Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2024 The Aggies were big risers after knocking off Tennessee last week, but things will need to be picked up quickly if Texas A&M wants to avoid falling to a double-digit seed spot. Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 For early risers, this is probably the last week to catch the brilliant planet Venus in the pre-dawn skies. Dean Regas, The Enquirer, 6 Feb. 2024 Vigil said taller male candidates will want to prohibit their competition from using risers behind their podiums, while shorter candidates will encourage it. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024 During morning hours, early risers can partake in a round of sunrise yoga or head to the nearby El Totole hill for a hiking session, but once dinner time rolls around, there’s no better spot to be than Mango Cocina de Origen. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023 Nikki Haley had barely taken to the makeshift riser Wednesday at the Wild Goose Tavern in Costa Mesa when the interruptions started. Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024 Central Park West, from West 75th to West 61st streets: Early risers can watch the beginning of the parade along this stretch. NBC News, 23 Nov. 2023 There was even a VIP riser at the more prominent of the two main stages. Eric Fuller, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'riser.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of riser was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near riser

Cite this Entry

“Riser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riser. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

riser

noun
ris·​er ˈrī-zər How to pronounce riser (audio)
1
: one that rises (as from sleep)
an early riser
2
: the upright board between two stair treads

More from Merriam-Webster on riser

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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