ranger

noun

rang·​er ˈrān-jər 

1

a

: the keeper of a British royal park or forest

b

: forest ranger

2

: one that ranges

3

a

: a member of an armed group who ranges over a region especially to enforce the law

b

: a soldier specially trained in close-range fighting and in raiding tactics

Examples of ranger in a Sentence

She's now a ranger at a national forest in Montana.

We were fortunate enough to get a tour from a ranger when we visited Yellowstone National Park.

Recent Examples on the Web

Friends and family of Miller brought a sled to the scene, and after hours of dragging and recovery, plus a little help from rangers with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the black bear was brought to a check station in Venango County. —Michael Guise, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025

Decades ago, rangers and local volunteers transformed this area—once a junkyard—into a healthy 70-acre marsh with beavers, otters, turtles, and numerous avian species. —Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025

It was selected by a ranger district in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, according to the National Park Service. —Zac Anderson, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025

Check with a local ranger for special warnings. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ranger

• forest ranger
• lone ranger
• park ranger

Rhymes for ranger

• changer
• danger
• manger
• stranger
• arranger
• endanger
• exchanger

Kids Definition

ranger

noun

rang·​er ˈrān-jər 

1

: forest ranger

2

a

: a member of a body of troops who range over a region

b

: a soldier in an army unit with special training (as parachute jumping and scuba diving) for making surprise attacks and raids