rover

1 of 2

noun (1)

ro·​ver ˈrō-vər 

: pirate

rover

2 of 2

noun (2)

rov·​er ˈrō-vər 

1

: a random or long-distance mark in archery

—usually used in plural

2

: wanderer, roamer

3

: a player who is not assigned to a specific position on a team and who plays wherever needed

4

: a vehicle for exploring the surface of an extraterrestrial body (such as the moon or Mars)

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• drifter
• gadabout
• gypsy
• knockabout
• maunderer
• nomad
• rambler
• roamer
• stroller
• vagabond
• wanderer
• wayfarer

Examples of rover in a Sentence

Noun (2)

ever since he developed a strong case of wanderlust in college, he's been a rover

a story of the days when sea rovers plied the Caribbean

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As any Martian rover will tell you, the surface of the Red Planet is a cold, barren wasteland. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2024

Mars fans have been abuzz since NASA’s Perseverance rover spotted an extraordinary rock on Sept. 13. —Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024

Or a commercial company could snap up the rover and commit some money to save the groundbreaking vehicle. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 4 Aug. 2024

While Perseverance’s discovery has made strides toward potentially finding ancient life on Mars, the rover’s capacity to answer these remaining questions is limited. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Middle Dutch, from roven to rob; akin to Old English rēafian to reave — more at reave

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rover

• sea rover

Kids Definition

rover

1 of 2 noun

ro·​ver ˈrō-vər 

: pirate entry 1

rover

2 of 2 noun

rov·​er ˈrō-vər 

: a person who roves around : roamer