naturalist

noun

nat·​u·​ral·​ist ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-list 

1

: one that advocates or practices naturalism

2

: a student of natural history

especially : a field biologist

Examples of naturalist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The museum was founded in 1988 by a group of naturalists and moved to its permanent home in Bridgehampton in 2005 with the help of its president Andrew Sabin who still leads nature walks for visitors. — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026

The naturalist George Forster was fascinated by plants and animals, but he was also driven by a passionate belief in the rights of all people regardless of race, gender, or social status. — The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026

Expert Bob Shanman, an experienced naturalist, will lead a free bird walk for the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

For years, naturalists with the American Museum of Natural History, which funded some of Stefansson’s expeditions, had been arguing that Americans should really eat more whale. — David Merritt Johns, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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