spotter

noun

spot·​ter ˈspä-tər How to pronounce spotter (audio)
1
: one that makes or applies a spot (as for identification)
2
: one that looks or keeps watch: such as
a
: one that locates enemy targets
b
: a civilian who watches for approaching airplanes
c
: a person who assists another during exercise (as to prevent injury)
3
: one that removes spots
4
: one that places something on or in a desired spot

Examples of spotter in a Sentence

When you lift weights, you should always have a spotter.
Recent Examples on the Web The relaxed, prairie-like aesthetic gives off a natural and sophisticated feel—and as is often noted by trend spotters, the trend cycle tends to shift from one extreme to another in terms of style. Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2023 The spotter would go out, reconnoiter, determine how off the missile had been and call Kysil back. James Verini Paolo Pellegrin, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023 Officers responded to the scene at about 9 p.m. Wednesday evening after two shot spotter alerts indicated almost 30 shots fired on W. Marquette Avenue in Peoria. Victoria Arancio, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2023 These are the few infantrymen who can shoot accurately from a mile away and beyond, able to read the wind, temperature and barometric pressure (with help from a spotter) before slightly depressing the trigger. Natalia Yermak David Guttenfelder, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2023 Nearby, his spotter, call sign Avocado, flew a DJI Mavic high above to guide him. Valerie Hopkins, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2023 The report comes together every week thanks to a crew of 85 volunteer leaf spotters are out in the field in the Empire State’s 11 travel regions, reporting on the current state fall colors to help direct leaf chasers to the most vibrant and dazzling displays. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 13 Sep. 2023 Faculty member Bethan Davies, a glaciologist from Newcastle University in England, acts as spotter while Camryn Kluetmeier, a recent college graduate from Madison, Wisconsin, controls the drone using an app on a smartphone. Ben Huff, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2023 Because of an editing error, a picture caption with an article on Tuesday about fire spotters in Montana misidentified the location of the Flathead Hot Shot Crew. New York Times, 15 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spotter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spotter was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near spotter

Cite this Entry

“Spotter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spotter. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

spotter

noun
spot·​ter ˈspät-ər How to pronounce spotter (audio)
1
: a person who removes spots
2
: a person who keeps watch : observer
3
: a person who helps another during exercise (as to prevent injury)

More from Merriam-Webster on spotter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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