waterman

noun wa·ter·man \ ˈwȯ-tər-mən , ˈwä- \

|Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of waterman

: one who works or lives on the water: such as

a : a man who makes his living from the water (as by fishing)

b : a boatman who plies for hire usually on inland waters or harbors

Recent Examples of waterman from the Web

In the 1980s, crab houses started bringing workers from Mexico through a program that lets them live and work in the United States during the warmer months and then return home in the winter, when watermen are prohibited from crabbing.

— scott dance, baltimoresun.com, "Crab crisis: Maryland seafood industry loses 40 percent of work force in visa lottery," 3 May 2018
The waterman — who bested 11-time world champion Kelly Slater last year at a CT event — is already planning trips to countries like Taiwan and China to promote the sport.

— NBC News, "For some American athletes, competing for a different country can bring rewards and controversy," 1 Mar. 2018
On a blustery Friday morning before dozens of supporters and curious onlookers, Rocky McKinnon and his watermen buddies set off in Huntington Beach's first outrigger surf canoe program.

— bradley zint, latimes.com, "Now you can ride an outrigger surf canoe off Huntington Beach," 10 Feb. 2018
State natural resources officials released an oyster restoration plan Friday calling for new investment in some Chesapeake Bay waterways, and potentially one day allowing watermen periodic access to harvest inside oyster sanctuaries.

— scott dance, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland chooses St. Mary's waterways for oyster investment, continues to explore sanctuary harvest," 15 Dec. 2017
Soft shell crabs need constant tending, and the shack — the waterman’s version of a man cave — contains a haphazard collection of Pringles cans, family photos and local newspaper clippings heralding Trump’s inauguration.

— jenna portnoy, Washington Post, "Why Sen. Kaine wants to save Trump Country from sinking into the Chesapeake," 2 Sep. 2017
Clark, the better waterman, spent most his time on the boat, where the never-ending challenges and dangers of navigating the wide, swift, ever-shifting and dangerous Missouri River demanded an experienced eye.

— gary garth, USA TODAY, "Missouri river towns preserve rich Lewis and Clark history," 24 Oct. 2017
With Herbert Kawainui Kane, an artist, and Tommy Holmes, a local waterman, Professor Finney founded the Polynesian Voyaging Society in 1973 to study traditional Polynesian techniques of sailing and navigation.

— william grimes, New York Times, "Ben Finney, Anthropologist Who Debunked Theory on Island Settlement, Dies at 83," 17 June 2017
To Del Martians, the lifesaving streak can be attributed in large part to the brave watermen at the top.

— logan jenkins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Del Martians rally for the return of chief lifeguard," 10 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'waterman.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.