stringer

noun

string·​er ˈstriŋ-ər 

1

: one that strings

2

: a string, wire, or chain often with snaps on which fish are strung by a fisherman

3

: a narrow vein or irregular filament of mineral traversing a rock mass of different material

4

a

: a long horizontal timber to connect uprights in a frame or to support a floor

b

: string sense 8

c

: a tie in a truss

5

a

: a longitudinal member extending from bent to bent of a railroad bridge and carrying the track

b

: a longitudinal member (as in an airplane fuselage or wing) to reinforce the skin

6

a

: a news correspondent who is paid space rates

b

: a reporter who works for a publication or news agency on a part-time basis

broadly : correspondent

7

: one estimated to be of specified excellence or efficiency

—used in combination

first-stringer

second-stringer

Examples of stringer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The shark had been caught in a fish stringer about 20 feet deep in the ocean. — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026

The most noticeable change, though, was the removal of the central wooden stringer that ran down the board from nose to tail. — Brent Rose, Wired News, 20 Mar. 2026

Simmons did not mention Clayton Dees, who is believed to be the fourth-stringer. — Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026

Photograph by stringer / Reuters This war on Iran need not have happened—at least not now. — Robin Wright, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stringer

• bringer
• clinger
• dinger
• inger
• ringer
• slinger
• springer
• stinger
• winger
• wringer

Kids Definition

stringer

noun

string·​er ˈstriŋ-ər 

1

: one that strings

2

: a long piece of wood or metal used for support or strengthening in a building (as under a floor)