rover

1 of 2

noun (1)

ro·​ver ˈrō-vər 

: pirate

rover

2 of 2

noun (2)

rov·​er ˈrō-vər 

1

: a random or long-distance mark in archery

—usually used in plural

2

: wanderer, roamer

3

: a player who is not assigned to a specific position on a team and who plays wherever needed

4

: a vehicle for exploring the surface of an extraterrestrial body (such as the moon or Mars)

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• drifter
• gadabout
• gypsy
• knockabout
• maunderer
• nomad
• rambler
• roamer
• stroller
• vagabond
• wanderer
• wayfarer

Examples of rover in a Sentence

Noun (2)

ever since he developed a strong case of wanderlust in college, he's been a rover

a story of the days when sea rovers plied the Caribbean

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This advanced design could enable scientists to study large swaths of Martian terrain in detail and quickly, including places where rovers cannot safely travel. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 5 Jan. 2025

The three-part system involves a fleet of autonomous mining rovers that harvest the icy dirt, a processing plant that heats the ice to extract water, splitting the water into hydrogen and oxygen and then liquefying the oxygen, and a massive solar array that powers the entire operation. —Saurav Shroff, WIRED, 2 Jan. 2025

Decisions, decisions Friday, May 10, 2024: The Curiosity rover on Mars has reached a crossroads. —Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025

The video appears to scan the landscape before zooming in on the front of the rover. —Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Middle Dutch, from roven to rob; akin to Old English rēafian to reave — more at reave

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rover

• sea rover

Kids Definition

rover

1 of 2 noun

ro·​ver ˈrō-vər 

: pirate entry 1

rover

2 of 2 noun

rov·​er ˈrō-vər 

: a person who roves around : roamer