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

As the Katmai rangers note, humans may interpret the behaviors of a bear named Killer differently than one named Fluffy. —Emily Wanderer, The Conversation, 7 Jan. 2026

Among the potential witnesses are FBI agents, rangers with the Texas Department of Public Safety, school employees and family members of the victims. —CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026

Check with a local ranger for special warnings. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026

Along with the trail layouts, the event also offered family-friendly fun with arts and crafts with Pullman rangers and free cocoa for kids at the Pullman Club Coffee shop. —Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026

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