clipper

noun

clip·​per ˈkli-pər 

1

: one that clips something

2

: an implement for clipping especially hair, fingernails, or toenails

—usually used in plural

3

: something that moves swiftly: such as

a

: a fast sailing ship

especially : one with long slender lines, an overhanging bow, tall masts, and a large sail area

b

or clipper system : a fast-moving, low-pressure weather system : alberta clipper

… but that's just a taste of things to come as that clipper system moves across the Lakes.

—Nick Walker

Examples of clipper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their clippers act as tools to help people get off the streets. —Kara St. Cyr, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026

Additional clipper-like systems may follow later this week, keeping the northern Plains cold and occasionally messy with more snow and wintry precipitation. —Brandi D. Addison, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 1 Apr. 2026

Agencies often act as an intermediary between clippers and artist teams or labels, skimming off some of the budget upfront. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026

If Julie was being decapitated by hedge clippers, Shad was cueing her when to start screaming. —Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clipper

• Alberta clipper

Rhymes for clipper

• chipper
• dipper
• flipper
• gripper
• kipper
• nipper
• ripper
• shipper
• skipper
• slipper
• stripper
• tipper

Kids Definition

clipper

noun

clip·​per ˈklip-ər 

1

: one that clips

2

plural : a device for clipping

hair clippers

3

: a fast sailing ship with usually three tall masts and large square sails