poached; poaching; poaches
: to cook in simmering liquid
poached; poaching; poaches
1
: to encroach upon especially for the purpose of taking something
2
: to trespass for the purpose of stealing game
also
: to take game or fish illegally
1
: to trespass on
a field poached too frequently by the amateur—
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
The Times Literary Supplement (London)2
a
: to take (game or fish) by illegal methods
b
: to appropriate (something) as one's own
c
: to attract (someone, such as an employee or customer) away from a competitor
Examples of poach in a Sentence
Verb (1)
poaching fish in a stock flavored with white wine
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
To fill the open roster spot, the Dolphins poached offensive tackle Braeden Daniels off Dallas’ practice squad.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2025
The Atlantic is bolstering its politics coverage by poaching staff from The Washington Post.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Bernardo Cueva was poached by Chelsea in the summer.
—Jay Harris, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poach 
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Verb
He's been excellent the last few years and Los Angeles would be poaching him from a division rival.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
To fill the open roster spot, the Dolphins poached offensive tackle Braeden Daniels off Dallas’ practice squad.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2025
The Atlantic is bolstering its politics coverage by poaching staff from The Washington Post.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Bernardo Cueva was poached by Chelsea in the summer.
—Jay Harris, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poach
Dictionary Entries Near poach
Cite this Entry
“Poach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poach. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
poach
1 of 2 verb
: to cook in simmering liquid
poached eggs
poach
2 of 2 verb
: to hunt or fish unlawfully
poacher
noun
Etymology
Verb
Middle English pochen "to boil an egg without its shell so that the white covers the yolk like a bag," from early French pocher (same meaning), from earlier pochier, literally, "to put into a bag," from poche "bag, pocket"
Verb
from early French pocher "to hunt or fish unlawfully"
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