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 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
• wanderer
• traveler
• 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

Five of the world's space agencies joined forces for the five-year mission that will attempt to land a robotic prospector and a rover on Phobos, the larger and closer of Mars' two pint-sized moons. — Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

Local processing could help rovers analyze terrain, interpret sensor readings, and support decisions without sending every piece of data back to Earth. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

The mission’s reconnaissance of Phobos will culminate in late 2028 or early 2029, when the MMX mothership will release a small rover to drop onto Phobos. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026

For example, the Mars Exploration rovers were meant to last for 90 days, with Spirit ending its mission after over six years and Opportunity after over 14 years. — Margaret Landis, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 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