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

Backup Anthony Carrie had 11 touches, and third-stringer Devonte Lyons got nine. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025

Sanders played with the third stringers during the team’s final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams and struggled. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Consider using stringers from your go-to home improvement store as the base. —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2025

Jordan James, another reserve RB, is still out due to a broken finger, and second-stringer Isaac Guerendo only recently returned to practice after being forced to sit out with his own shoulder ailment. —Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025

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)