placer

1 of 2

noun (1)

plac·​er ˈplā-sər 

: one that places: such as

a

: one that deposits or arranges

b

: one of the winners in a competition

placer

2 of 2

noun (2)

plac·​er ˈpla-sər 

often attributive

: an alluvial, marine, or glacial deposit containing particles of valuable mineral and especially of gold

placer gold

Examples of placer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Leadville materialized in 1860 with the discovery of placer gold (gold extracted from eroded rock), and the mining boom was on. —James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2024

Each polling placer will keep staff on hand to monitor the area and enforce the no-photo policy. —Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

Here’s the thing with California’s oranges: The California gold rush, smack in the middle of the 19th century, was an enormous splash in the placer pan. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024

The top six placers in each event qualified for the CIF State Championships in Clovis on May 24-25. —Lou Ponsi, Orange County Register, 18 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Spanish, from Catalan, submarine plain, from plaza place, from Latin platea broad street — more at place

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1578, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1834, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

placer

noun

plac·​er

ˈplas-ər

: a deposit of sand or gravel containing particles of valuable mineral (as gold)