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

: one of a body of organized armed men who range 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

In May 2025, an independent investigation found that African Parks rangers had raped, beat and tortured indigenous people. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025

Park rangers also run several free night-sky experiences, including stargazing with telescopes and sky-watching in Torrey. —Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025

During the last 35-day shutdown in 2018 and 2019, the parks association said, people vandalized national parks left unguarded by rangers. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025

Check with a local ranger for special warnings. —Paloma Chavez, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 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