hunter

noun

hunt·​er ˈhən-tər How to pronounce hunter (audio)
Synonyms of hunternext
1
a
: a person who hunts game
b
: a dog used or trained for hunting
c
: a horse used or adapted for use in hunting with hounds
especially : a fast strong horse trained for cross-country work and jumping
2
: one that searches for something
3
: a pocket watch with a hinged protective cover

Examples of hunter in a Sentence

hunters must have a license to shoot deer
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.
His remains were unearthed in 2022, along with 13 others, as archeologists were working to preserve shallow battlefield graves from erosion and relic hunters. Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 19 June 2026 The intention for this breed was to work closely with hunters, so they're locked in on human cues, scents and retrieval. Pat Mueller, USA Today, 18 June 2026 Big Oaks hosts about 6,000 deer, squirrel, and turkey hunters and anglers annually, with some 15,000 total visitors, including bird-watchers from around the world, according to former refuge manager Joe Robb, who retired last year. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 18 June 2026 Earlier this spring, two hobbyist treasure hunters uncovered one of the largest Viking coin hoards ever found in Norway after discovering dozens of silver coins in a field. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hunter

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of hunter was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hunter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hunter. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

hunter

noun
hunt·​er ˈhənt-ər How to pronounce hunter (audio)
1
: a person who hunts
especially : one who hunts game
2
: a dog or horse used or trained for hunting

Geographical Definition

Hunter

geographical name

Hun·​ter ˈhən-tər How to pronounce Hunter (audio)
river 287 miles (462 kilometers) long in eastern New South Wales, southeastern Australia, flowing east into the Pacific

Biographical Definition

Hunter

biographical name

Hun·​ter ˈhən-tər How to pronounce Hunter (audio)
John 1728–1793 British anatomist and surgeon

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