trainer

noun

train·​er ˈtrā-nər 

1

: a person who trains someone or something: such as

a

: one whose occupation is to guide or instruct people in fitness and exercise routines

a personal trainer

When we run the track, Stan Ward, a boxing and conditioning trainer, times us.

—Bridgett Riley

b

: one who oversees the training of animals

a dog/horse trainer

A trainer uses the clicker to create an auditory cue that marks a particular behavior and then rewards the dog with a treat.

—C. C. Holland

2

: a person who treats the ailments and minor injuries of the members of an athletic team

… he landed so hard that the wind was knocked out of him. He lay writhing on the ground as Herm Schneider, the team trainer, rushed to his side.

—William Nack

3

: something (such as a machine or vehicle) used in training see also elliptical trainer

4

chiefly British : sneaker sense 2

They wore trainers, scuffed and old, with the laces loose and the tongues protruding in defiance at the ankle.

—M. J. Trow

Synonyms of trainer

• coach
• manager

Examples of trainer in a Sentence

the boxer and his trainer

She hired a personal trainer.

Recent Examples on the Web

The parents, Nathan Trevallion, a 51-year-old British former professional chef, and Catherine Birmingham, a 45-year-old Australian life coach and former equestrian trainer, were named in an order issued by a L’Aquila court as parents of the children – one eight-year-old and six-year-old twins. —Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 23 Nov. 2025

The actress recently strolled the streets of New York City in a pair of Adidas Sambas — the same trainers Jennifer Lawrence has worn for months. —Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025

Since then, he's been both trainer and protector — guiding his son through the sweet science in the ring and the grueling business behind it. —Sam Crenshaw, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025

The popular full-body cardio and strength trainer features a screen and dizzying amount of Peloton classes, but perhaps the most surprising feature is how the Row+ is nearly completely silent. —PC Magazine, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing trainer

• athletic trainer
• cross-trainer
• elliptical trainer

Rhymes for trainer

• gainer
• plainer
• planar
• planer
• saner
• stainer
• strainer
• abstainer
• campaigner
• complainer
• container
• coplanar

Kids Definition

trainer

noun

train·​er ˈtrān-ər 

1

: one that trains

2

: a person who treats the minor ailments and injuries of the members of an athletic team