ditchdigger

noun

ditch·​dig·​ger ˈdich-ˌdi-gər How to pronounce ditchdigger (audio)
1
: one that digs ditches
2
: one employed at menial and usually hard physical labor

Examples of ditchdigger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Working with backers from Rahway, New Jersey, Tesla introduced his own arc lighting system, but the company soon folded and Tesla was forced to work as a ditchdigger. National Geographic, 27 Sep. 2019 He's been a farmer, a soldier, a ditchdigger, a teacher, a small business owner and a nonprofit director. Ramsey Archibald | Rarchibald@al.com, AL.com, 18 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ditchdigger.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ditchdigger was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near ditchdigger

Cite this Entry

“Ditchdigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ditchdigger. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!