reporter

noun

re·​port·​er ri-ˈpȯr-tər 

: one that reports: such as

a

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

b

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

c(1)

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

(2)

: a person who broadcasts news

reportorial

ˌre-pər-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

ˌre-pə-

ˌrē-

adjective

reportorially

ˌre-pər-ˈtȯr-ē-ə-lē 

ˌre-pə-

ˌrē-

adverb

Synonyms

• 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

The three courses finished on Dec. 9, according to the online course catalog. Reached on his cellphone Friday, Snyder declined to comment and directed an Idaho Statesman reporter to the university. —Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2025

Other congressional reporters arriving at Capitol Hill today passed these exhausted Senate reporters on their way out. —Mackenzie Thomas, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025

Leavitt held up the note to reporters, which appeared to have been written by Trump using his signature black Sharpie. —David Brennan, ABC News, 30 June 2025

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. —Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025

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