rover

1 of 2

noun (1)

ro·​ver ˈrō-vər 

: pirate

rover

2 of 2

noun (2)

rov·​er ˈrō-vər 

1

: a random or long-distance mark in archery

—usually used in plural

2

: wanderer, roamer

3

: a player who is not assigned to a specific position on a team and who plays wherever needed

4

: a vehicle for exploring the surface of an extraterrestrial body (such as the moon or Mars)

Synonyms of rover

Noun (2)

• nomad
• traveler
• wanderer
• drifter
• roamer
• wayfarer

Examples of rover in a Sentence

Noun (2)

ever since he developed a strong case of wanderlust in college, he's been a rover

a story of the days when sea rovers plied the Caribbean

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Several cars featured display windows, so visitors could check out larger items, including the Freedom Bell, a replica of the Liberty Bell twice its size, and a lunar rover. —Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026

Independent input from the planetary science community has helped support key NASA missions, including New Horizons, which launched 20 years ago to explore Pluto and the outer edges of our solar system, and the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars rovers, Kiraly says. —Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2026

Will feature an orbital transfer vehicle and rover headed to the Gruithuisen Domes on the moon. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026

The Perseverance rover on Mars' surface also snapped a faint photo of the interstellar comet. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 16 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Middle Dutch, from roven to rob; akin to Old English rēafian to reave — more at reave

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rover

• sea rover

Rhymes for rover

• clover
• drover
• over
• prover
• stover
• trover
• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover

Kids Definition

rover

1 of 2 noun

ro·​ver ˈrō-vər 

: pirate entry 1

rover

2 of 2 noun

rov·​er ˈrō-vər 

: a person who roves around : roamer