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

With Jayden Daniels shut down and Marcus Mariota dealing with a leg injury, the Commanders (5-12) started Johnson, their 39-year-old third-stringer. —CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026

And now San Francisco is likely down its two starting linebackers (one of which is already a second-stringer), on top of all the team’s other season-defining injuries. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026

The framing square is used to lay out on the face of the stringers where the mortises will be. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026

The Eagles clinched the NFC East two weeks ago with a 29-18 win over the Commanders — who, with Jayden Daniels shut down and Marcus Mariota dealing with a leg injury, will start 39-year-old third-stringer Josh Johnson. —Dan Gelston, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 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)