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

Boozman's remarks to reporters on Tuesday followed the department's recent warning to state agencies about suspending allotments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, citing the nearly monthlong federal government shutdown as the reason. —Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2025

Instead, reporters found Moore and her sisters, Nation of Islam members, and a handful of activists representing smaller Black Nationalist groups. —Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025

Even before Beal’s misstep, Ross reportedly planned to make Jennifer his successor, though Ross has never confirmed that publicly and has spoken to Dolphins reporters only once this decade (when Mike McDaniel was hired as coach in February 2022). —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 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