reporter

noun

re·​port·​er ri-ˈpȯr-tər 

: one that reports: such as

a(1)

: a person employed by a newspaper, magazine, or television company to gather and report news

(2)

: a person who broadcasts news

b

: a person who makes authorized statements of law decisions or legislative proceedings

c

: a person who makes a shorthand record of a speech or proceeding

reportorial

ˌre-pər-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

ˌre-pə-, 

ˌrē-

adjective

reportorially

ˌre-pər-ˈtȯr-ē-ə-lē 

ˌre-pə-, 

ˌrē-

adverb

Synonyms of reporter

• journalist
• correspondent

Examples of reporter in a Sentence

She's a reporter for one of the major networks.

the reporter was careful to ask as many questions as possible without annoying anyone

Recent Examples on the Web

David’s view The voters most keen to talk with political reporters are, typically, extremely engaged in politics. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026

Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

Any content produced using AI tools is reviewed by reporters and editors before publication in compliance with McClatchy’s AI policy. —Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 25 Mar. 2026

Two jurors who spoke with reporters in the hallway outside the courtroom confirmed some members of the panel wanted to go higher with the award. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing reporter

• court reporter
• cub reporter
• police reporter
• shorthand reporter

Rhymes for reporter

• colporteur
• exporter
• headquarter
• importer
• supporter
• transporter
• mortar
• quarter
• shorter
• sorter

Kids Definition

reporter

noun

re·​port·​er ri-ˈpōrt-ər 

-ˈpȯrt-

: a person who reports

especially : one employed by a newspaper, magazine, or radio or television station to gather, write, or report news

Legal Definition

reporter

noun

re·​port·​er

: one that reports: as

a

: one who makes authorized statements and publications of court decisions or legislative proceedings

also : a publication in which such reports are reproduced see also citation compare advance sheet

b

: one who makes a shorthand record of a speech or proceeding

specifically : court reporter