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
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
Phrases Containing spotter
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.
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