fisherman

noun

fish·​er·​man ˈfi-shər-mən How to pronounce fisherman (audio)
1
: one who engages in fishing as an occupation or for pleasure
2
: a ship used in commercial fishing

Examples of fisherman in a Sentence

fishermen sorting out their catch
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her body was found by a fisherman in the river just before 10:30 a.m. local time Wednesday near Brownsville, Minnesota—more than a dozen miles from her last known location, according to authorities. Alexandra Koch , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 24 July 2025 Discover Local Watermen’s Heritage The Waterman's Museum honors the region’s hard-working watermen, from Indigenous canoe makers to present-day commercial fishermen. Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 24 July 2025 Three shark bites in South Florida in the past 10 days are a reminder that swimmers, divers, fishermen and surfers need to be aware of the risk of the danger that lurks only yards offshore. Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 23 July 2025 In the film, a group of friends responsible for the accidental death of a motorist covers up the crime, only to be haunted by a demented fisherman wearing a slicker and wielding a giant hook. Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fisherman

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fisherman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fisherman. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

fisherman

noun
fish·​er·​man ˈfish-ər-mən How to pronounce fisherman (audio)
1
: a person who fishes
2
: a ship used in commercial fishing

More from Merriam-Webster on fisherman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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