privateer

noun

pri·​va·​teer ˌprī-və-ˈtir 

: an armed private ship licensed to attack enemy shipping

also : a sailor on such a ship

privateer intransitive verb

Examples of privateer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Pantera even saw competition by privateer teams in Group 3, 4, and 5 racing, with largely unsuccessful results. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 17 Jan. 2025

Riding a Yamaha as a privateer, Laninovich made two main events last season to become the oldest starter in Supercross history at the age of 40. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025

There are privateers and those who spend smaller dollars, with some help of sponsors, but it is largely populated by multi-million-dollar teams; some have private chefs, massage therapists, a cadre of engineers, and a media contingent. —Sue Mead, Popular Science, 13 Feb. 2025

Vessels discovered in the area include a War of 1812 privateer, boats sunk by German submarines during World War II and an actual German U-boat sunk by Allied forces, the federal agency said. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1641, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for privateer

• auctioneer
• bandelier
• belvedere
• bombardier
• brigadier
• buccaneer
• cavalier
• chandelier
• chanticleer
• chevalier
• commandeer
• disappear

Kids Definition

privateer

1 of 2 noun

pri·​va·​teer

ˌprī-və-ˈti(ə)r

1

: an armed private ship permitted by its government to make war on ships of an enemy country

2

: a sailor on a privateer

privateer

2 of 2 verb

: to cruise in or as a privateer