1

spoor

noun \ ˈspu̇r , ˈspȯr \

Definition of spoor

plural spoor or spoors

1 : a track, a trail, a scent, or droppings especially of a wild animal

2 : a trace by which the progress of someone or something may be followed

See spoor defined for kids

Recent Examples of spoor from the Web

The previous method used spoor (paw prints, also called pugmarks, and scat), which often led to the same animal being counted multiple times.

— National Geographic, "How Many Tigers Are There Really? A Conservation Mystery," 20 Apr. 2016
On top goes chaat masala, a collage of spices haunted by the smoky spoor of black salt; amchur, tart green mango powder; and asafetida, with its faint evocation of meat.

— ligaya mishan, New York Times, "Mumbai Xpress, a Good Reason to Stray for a Snack," 25 Nov. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spoor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of spoor

Afrikaans, from Dutch; akin to Old English spor footprint, spoor, spurnan to kick — more at spurn

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1823

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Hunting and Fishing Terms

chum, covert, creel, flense, pitfall, seine, skulk, trawl

2

spoor

verb

Definition of spoor

spoored; spooring; spoors

transitive verb

: to track by a spoor

intransitive verb

: to track something by its spoor

First Known Use of spoor

1850

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Hunting and Fishing Terms

chum, covert, creel, flense, pitfall, seine, skulk, spoor, trawl

Learn More about spoor

See words that rhyme with spoor Spanish Central: Translation of spoor Nglish: Translation of spoor for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spoor

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