rapporteur

noun

rap·​por·​teur ˌra-ˌpȯr-ˈtər 

: a person who gives reports (as at a meeting of a learned society)

Did you know?

Rapporteur was adopted into English in the 16th century and is a descendant of the Middle French verb rapporter, meaning "to bring back, report, or refer." Other descendants of rapporter in English include rapportage (a rare synonym of reportage, in the sense of "writing intended to give an account of observed or documented events") and rapport ("a harmonious relationship," as in "The young teacher had a good rapport with the students"). The words report, reporter, reportage, etc., are also distant relatives of rapporteur; all can ultimately be traced back to the Latin prefix re-, meaning "back, again, or against," and the Latin word portare, meaning "to carry."

Examples of rapporteur in a Sentence

He was selected to be the UN's rapporteur on nuclear energy.

Recent Examples on the Web

The United Nations' special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has supported the FFC operation and urged other boats to challenge the Gaza blockade. —Crispian Balmer, USA Today, 9 June 2025

In each committee, a rapporteur will lead the drafting process. —Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025

The draft opinion was submitted by MEP Li Andersson of The Left, rapporteur for the opinion. —Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Right Now Each committee designates a rapporteur to lead the drafting. —Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from rapporter to bring back, report

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rapporteur

• torture

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