stringer

noun

string·​er ˈstriŋ-ər How to pronounce stringer (audio)
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
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-stringersecond-stringer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Next, trim the bottom of the stringer an amount equal to the tread thickness. Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 18 Jan. 2021 Mazzulla pulled his starters with the Celtics trailing by 22 points, and second- and third-stringers actually provided a jolt, needing less than three minutes to slice the deficit to 12. Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Mar. 2023 The division has 22 full-time employees and approximately 60 contract workers and stringers. Paul Farhi, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2023 Arizona had to play third-stringer Trace McSorley. Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, 18 Dec. 2022 Backup quarterback Robert Griffin III, now on the injured reserve, and third-stringer Trace McSorley combined to go 8-for-19 for 110 yards, a touchdown and an interception against Pittsburgh. Jonas Shaffer, baltimoresun.com, 7 Dec. 2020 Their five-bass stringer weighed a whopping 37.13 pounds. Bob Mcnally, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2023 Thompson, after valuable experience gained as a rookie, including a playoff game, stops short of saying the No. 2 quarterback role is his expectation in Year 2 after being the third-stringer last season as a rookie. David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2023 The Beavers replace two starters and a second stringer from a position that’s been productive and reliable over the past two seasons. oregonlive, 27 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stringer.' 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

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stringer was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near stringer

Cite this Entry

“Stringer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stringer. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

stringer

noun
string·​er ˈstriŋ-ər How to pronounce stringer (audio)
1
: one that strings
2
: a long piece of wood or metal used for support or strengthening in a building (as under a floor)

More from Merriam-Webster on stringer

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