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

Their third stringers would be in the rotation most places. —Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025

The third-stringer, a freshman, just suffered a concussion. —Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

The organization, before furloughs earlier this year, consisted of 400 full-time staff and 500 stringers and contractors. —Max Rego, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2025

That’s because the defense has given up more than 200 yards to a backup running back, nearly 150 to a third-stringer and three touchdowns to a rookie. —Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 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)