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
Melina Khan, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Hot pot is the ancient cookery method of rapidly poaching bite-sized morsels of fresh vegetables, meats, seafood, and tofu in a communal tableside broth.
—Natasha Pickowicz, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is investigating three incidents of poaching involving mule deer bucks near Boise that have happened in recent months, according to a news release from the agency.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 17 Feb. 2026
That is how the poaching case developed.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poach
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Verb
Their bromance reaches a fever pitch when Sloan begins believing that Shepherd is trying to poach Avery for neurosurgery.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Hot pot is the ancient cookery method of rapidly poaching bite-sized morsels of fresh vegetables, meats, seafood, and tofu in a communal tableside broth.
—Natasha Pickowicz, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is investigating three incidents of poaching involving mule deer bucks near Boise that have happened in recent months, according to a news release from the agency.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 17 Feb. 2026
That is how the poaching case developed.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poach
Cite this Entry
“Poach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poach. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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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