hunter

noun

hunt·​er ˈhən-tər 

1

a

: a person who hunts game

b

: a dog used or trained for hunting

c

: a horse used or adapted for use in hunting with hounds

especially : a fast strong horse trained for cross-country work and jumping

2

: one that searches for something

3

: a pocket watch with a hinged protective cover

Synonyms

• huntsman
• nimrod

Examples of hunter in a Sentence

hunters must have a license to shoot deer

Recent Examples on the Web

The film tells the story of a young apprentice hunter and her father who journey to Ireland to help wipe out the last wolf pack. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

So the hunter backed off, hoping the buck would survive until the following season. —Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 20 Dec. 2024

These first observations triggered a flurry of pest control activity to hunt the hunters. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024

This helps the nighttime hunters prey on rodents scurrying on the ground. —Daniel Wine, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hunter

• anti-hunter
• bounty hunter
• fortune hunter
• head hunter
• hunter-gatherer
• hunter green
• white hunter

Kids Definition

hunter

noun

hunt·​er ˈhənt-ər 

1

: a person who hunts

especially : one who hunts game

2

: a dog or horse used or trained for hunting

Geographical Definition

Hunter

geographical name

Hun·​ter ˈhən-tər 

river 287 miles (462 kilometers) long in eastern New South Wales, southeastern Australia, flowing east into the Pacific

Biographical Definition

Hunter

biographical name

Hun·​ter ˈhən-tər 

John 1728–1793 British anatomist and surgeon