poacher

1 of 2

noun (1)

poach·​er ˈpō-chər 

1

: one that trespasses or steals

2

: one who kills or takes wild animals (such as game or fish) illegally

poacher

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: a covered pan containing a plate with depressions or shallow cups in each of which an egg can be cooked over steam rising from boiling water in the bottom of the pan

2

: a baking dish in which food (such as fish) can be poached

Examples of poacher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

His job is basically to keep poachers away and to make sure that there are enough pheasants for a jolly shooting party (which, since Sir Clifford uses a wheelchair, seems an improbable entertainment at Wragby). —Louis Menand, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

Having a better sense of where endangered species are could also help in patrolling against poachers, people with the project said. —Evelyne Musambi, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026

According to The Sun, an anonymous source within the South African police said investigators suspect that the couple may have encountered a group of poachers and were killed to prevent them from speaking out. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026

Armed rangers at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy guard them from poachers every minute of every day. —Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

poach entry 2

Noun (2)

poach entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for poacher

• cloture