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

Temps won't fall much Thursday night either, with clouds returning ahead of another clipper passing north of the metro. —Joseph Dames, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026

The clipper storm brings the prospect of a combination of rain and some snow. —Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026

The clipper system will move from the Upper Midwest into the Northeast over the next 24 hours. —Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026

Jeanine Santucci The National Weather service said a clipper system that will begin with heavy snow in the Great Lakes region on Tuesday will move its way into the Northeast by Wednesday. —Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 Feb. 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