tiller

1 of 4

noun (1)

till·​er ˈti-lər 

: one that tills : cultivator

tiller

2 of 4

noun (2)

til·​ler ˈti-lər 

: a lever used to turn the rudder of a boat from side to side

broadly : a device or system that plays a part in steering something

tiller

3 of 4

noun (3)

til·​ler ˈti-lər 

: stalk, sprout

especially : one from the base of a plant or from the axils of its lower leaves

tiller

4 of 4

verb

til·​ler ˈti-lər 

tillered; tillering ˈti-lə-riŋ 

ˈtil-riŋ

intransitive verb

of a plant

: to put forth tillers

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• agriculturist
• agriculturalist
• agronomist
• cultivator
• farmer
• grower
• planter

Examples of tiller in a Sentence

Noun (1)

in his paintings farmers are invariably depicted as brawny yet noble tillers of the land

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But, Christian writes, her steady hand on the tiller has provided the Biden camp a useful opportunity to paint the Bidens in contrast to the Trumps. —Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 July 2024

Will a tiller be suitable for weeding aisles and pathways? —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2024

While large tillers can be mounted on a tractor and driven off the tractor’s engine by a PTO shaft, homeowner-sized tillers come in two basic arrangements: front tine and rear tine. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2024

Equipment like riding mowers, tillers and trimmers filled our garage — each in need of repair due to mistreatment or neglect. —Andrew Torgan, CNN, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English teler, tiller stock of a crossbow, tiller, from Anglo-French teiler stock of a crossbow

Noun (3)

Middle English *tiller, from Old English telgor, telgra twig, shoot; akin to Old High German zelga twig, Old Irish dlongaid he splits

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1625, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1677, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tiller

1 of 2 noun

till·​er

ˈtil-ər

: a person who tills

also : cultivator

tiller

2 of 2 noun

til·​ler

ˈtil-ər

: a lever used to turn the rudder of a boat from side to side