poach

verb (1)

\ ˈpōch

poached; poaching; poaches

Definition of poach

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to cook in simmering liquid

poach

verb (2)

poached; poaching; poaches

Definition of poach (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to encroach upon especially for the purpose of taking something

2 : to trespass for the purpose of stealing game also : to take game or fish illegally

transitive verb

1 : to trespass on a field poached too frequently by the amateur — The Times Literary Supplement (London)

2a : to take (game or fish) by illegal methods

b : to appropriate (something) as one's own

c : to attract (someone, such as an employee or customer) away from a competitor

Examples of poach in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Approximately 100 elephants are poached/killed every day for their ivory tusks. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Shared a Previously Unseen Photo From Their Botswana Trip," 4 Apr. 2019 Jesse Nwabueze however, was finally poached by Crystal Palace following a series of impressive performances in trial games. — SI.com, "Crystal Palace Fend Off Interest From Chelsea and Arsenal to Sign Nigerian Starlet," 23 June 2018 Chenereire was among the first to dive in, shamelessly starting a campaign to poach the most experienced LNG operators in the world and bring them to the coastal bend of Texas. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "America's New Energy Coast," 19 Mar. 2019 That rate has halved at many companies as small startups have used cheap digital advertising to poach customers. — Carol Ryan, WSJ, "New Consumer CEOs Are Getting Tougher, Shorter Jobs," 15 Feb. 2019 South Africa is home to more than 80 percent of the world's rhinos, whose population has been depleted by poaching for buyers in Vietnam and China where rhino horn is coveted as an ingredient in traditional medicine. — NBC News, "Rhino poachers eaten by lions on South African game reserve," 6 July 2018 Korff argues that Herzer is essentially poaching claims from lawsuits filed by ex-Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman and former board members George Abrams and Frederic Salerno after her previous legal tactics failed. — Ashley Cullins, The Hollywood Reporter, "Sumner Redstone's Grandson Rips RICO Lawsuit Filed by Mogul's Ex-Companion," 27 Apr. 2018 The 24-year-old, as things currently stand, is extremely vulnerable to being poached by a top European club because his buy-out clause is 'only' €110m. — SI.com, "Real Madrid Ready to Test the Waters Over Prolific Inter Star Mauro Icardi With Benzema in Decline," 16 Jan. 2018 He's visited Africa several times to promote and participate in conservation efforts and anti-poaching projects to protect the continent's wildlife and local communities. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle Was Surprised by Prince Harry's Secret Habit, Which Is Actually Good for the Environment," 8 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'poach.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.