plural trainers
1
: a person who trains someone or something: such as
a
: someone who oversees the training of people in a specific discipline
When we run the track, Stan Ward, a boxing and conditioning trainer, times us.—
Bridgett Riley
Bridgett Riley
especially
: personal trainer
A good trainer does more than count your biceps curls: She suggests the best types of exercises for your goal … and teaches you how to do the moves correctly. —Sarah Bowen Shea
Sarah Bowen Shea
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
C. C. Holland2
: athletic trainer
… 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
William Nack3
: 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
M. J. TrowExamples of trainer in a Sentence
the boxer and his trainer
She hired a personal trainer.
Recent Examples on the Web
The 24-hour gym is equally impressive, equipped with everything from stair climbers to free weights, with expert trainers on hand to guide workout sessions.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
Colleagues described him as a meticulous investigator and a committed trainer who brought humor and patience to his work.
—Ray Campos, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
His two-decade-plus partnership with trainer Mike Mancias has yielded a stretch of greatness at the top of the league that’s never been matched.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
That’s because Krebs, after long decades as a wilderness therapist and military trainer, says even the wildest places can feel like an office after a while.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trainer
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
Colleagues described him as a meticulous investigator and a committed trainer who brought humor and patience to his work.
—Ray Campos, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
His two-decade-plus partnership with trainer Mike Mancias has yielded a stretch of greatness at the top of the league that’s never been matched.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
That’s because Krebs, after long decades as a wilderness therapist and military trainer, says even the wildest places can feel like an office after a while.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trainer
Cite this Entry
“Trainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trainer. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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