naturalist

1 of 2

noun

nat·​u·​ral·​ist ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-list 

1

: a student of natural history

especially : a field biologist

2

: one that advocates or practices naturalism

naturalist

2 of 2

adjective

nat·​u·​ral·​ist ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-list 

less common variant of naturalistic

: of, characterized by, or according with naturalism

Examples of naturalist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The nature center opened in 1963, and became popular among scouting and school groups, to whom naturalists taught about the local flora and fauna. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Expert naturalists lead visitors to the Tennessee River’s Maclellan Island, known locally as Goat Island for the goats that help control invasive plant species threatening the island’s ecological health. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

And a 26-year-old naturalist named Charles Darwin arrived aboard the British Royal Navy ship HMS Beagle, which had sailed from England nearly four years earlier on a mission to chart South America. — Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 14, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Sep. 2026

There’s also a maple creemee stand in the lobby and a 180-foot wooden bridge leading into the adjoining 104-acre nature preserve, with fly-fishing access and naturalist tours planned. — Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

naturalist

noun

nat·​u·​ral·​ist ˈnach-(ə-)rə-ləst 

: a person who specializes in natural history

naturalist adjective