poached; poaching; poaches
: to cook in simmering liquid
poached; poaching; poaches
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
1
: to trespass on
a field poached too frequently by the amateur—
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
The Times Literary Supplement (London)2
a
: 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
Verb (1)
poaching fish in a stock flavored with white wine
Recent Examples on the Web
Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2025
The next important date is September 9, when the presiding judge will hear the MW’s motion to dismiss the poaching penalty lawsuit filed by the Pac-12.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
Under the ownership of Lawrence Stroll, the team has invested big in facilities and staff, poaching legendary designer Adrian Newey from Red Bull.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
That same approach later helped law enforcement predict poaching in Cambodia.
—Joann Yamani, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poach
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Verb
After making a fortune in the real estate and hotel business, Hume started his own rhino farm, Buffalo Dream Ranch, in the early 2000s, when South Africa’s rhino poaching crisis was beginning to peak.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2025
The next important date is September 9, when the presiding judge will hear the MW’s motion to dismiss the poaching penalty lawsuit filed by the Pac-12.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
Under the ownership of Lawrence Stroll, the team has invested big in facilities and staff, poaching legendary designer Adrian Newey from Red Bull.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
That same approach later helped law enforcement predict poaching in Cambodia.
—Joann Yamani, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poach
Cite this Entry
“Poach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poach. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
poach
1 of 2 verb
: to cook in simmering liquid
poached eggs
poach
2 of 2 verb
: to hunt or fish unlawfully
poacher
noun
Etymology
Verb
Middle English pochen "to boil an egg without its shell so that the white covers the yolk like a bag," from early French pocher (same meaning), from earlier pochier, literally, "to put into a bag," from poche "bag, pocket"
Verb
from early French pocher "to hunt or fish unlawfully"
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