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

There are also weaker, clipper systems. —ABC News, 21 Jan. 2026

An Alberta clipper is a fast-moving low-pressure system originating in Alberta, Canada, sweeping southeast across the Plains, Midwest and Great Lakes in winter. —Brandi D. Addison, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Jan. 2026

An afternoon and evening clipper system could bring one to three inches of snow Tuesday night into early Wednesday. —Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026

The second is a clipper diving through the Upper Midwest. —Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 20 Jan. 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