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

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

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Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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)