punter

noun punt·er \ ˈpən-tər \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of punter

1 : one that punts: such as

a chiefly British : a person who gambles; especially : one who bets against a bookmaker

b : a person who uses a punt in boating

c : a person who punts a ball

2 chiefly British : customer, patron

See punter defined for English-language learners

Examples of punter in a Sentence

He was one of the greatest punters in NFL history.
Effective marketing means getting the punters to buy what you want them to buy.
The sale attracted more than 1,000 punters.

Recent Examples of punter from the Web

Sophomore punter James Smith, a native of Australia, was the only Bearcat to make first-team All-American Athletic Conference last season.

— tom groeschen, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Bearcats: Fans can get first look at 2018 football team Saturday," 13 Apr. 2018
Can punter Tommy Townsend replace his record-setting brother, Johnny?

— edgar thompson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "UF starting QB battle among top five questions Gators face entering spring game," 13 Apr. 2018
Even the punter and kicker, there won’t be a rush, but there’s going to be a lot of people watching.

— christy cabrera chirinos, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Coach Mark Richt eager to see how Hurricanes fare in spotlight of spring game," 13 Apr. 2018
The Broncos’ Marquette Kings is no ordinary punter.

— steven ruiz, For The Win, "Raiders' Bruce Irvin escalates beef with former teammate Marquette King," 10 Apr. 2018
The Lions also return punter Sam Martin and kicker Matt Prater, both of whom signed extensions in recent seasons, and should have one of the best special-teams units in the NFL in 2018.

— dave birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions bring long snapper Don Muhlbach back for 15th season," 10 Mar. 2018
Also this year, Texas punter Michael Dickson said the Seahawks made an odd request during their 15-minute interview: A staring contest.

— lorenzo reyes, USA TODAY, "LSU's Derrius Guice not first to field offensive or strange question at NFL scouting combine," 8 Mar. 2018
Bidwell, a former NFL punter, also volunteers as the Ducks football chaplain.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "Fired Ducks coach Mark Helfrich sells Eugene dream house for $2.4 million," 8 Mar. 2018
The only players 30 or older are punter Britton Colquitt (33), quarterback Drew Stanton (33) and tight end Darren Fells (31).

— terry pluto, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Browns: Trading quarterbacks, drafting Bradley Chubb? -- Terry Pluto (photos)," 31 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of punter

circa 1706

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

PUNTER Defined for English Language Learners

punter

noun

Definition of punter for English Language Learners

American football : a player whose job is to punt the ball
: someone who makes a bet
: a person who goes on a river, canal, etc., in a long, thin boat (called a punt)