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

News of Short’s death spread quickly, and before authorities could cordon off the crime scene, reporters swarmed the area. —Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026

O’Hara told reporters Minneapolis police had secured the scene and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) are processing evidence. —Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 15 Jan. 2026

Christopher Cann is a national breaking news reporter for USA TODAY. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026

Ask The Post’s journalists Our reporters and editors answer your questions. —Karen Tumulty, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 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