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

Both have been among the Celtics’ most important players this season, with Brown posting career-best numbers in Tatum’s absence and Queta, a fourth-stringer last season, emerging as a valuable starting center. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 2 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

The man in his 50s was discovered inside his white Toyota sedan in a parking structure along Century Boulevard near LAX, according to footage broadcast by RMG News, a stringer news service. —Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026

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

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)