hunter

noun

hunt·​er ˈhən-tər How to pronounce hunter (audio)
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

Examples of hunter in a Sentence

hunters must have a license to shoot deer
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The documentary focuses on the influence Kingsbury had on the film, from both behind and in front of the camera, as the embodiment of Robert Shaw’s iconic shark hunter, Quint. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 June 2025 With Badlands set to closely follow the adventures of a young Predator hunter trying to prove himself, this feels like only the beginning for an on-screen expansion of these aliens' history and culture. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 6 June 2025 Behind the brand, is the Parisian jewelry designer and passionate stone hunter Cyril Bismuth, whose ‘spiritual jewelry’ already has a firm following in the US market. Kate Matthams, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 The alien’s plan is the same across the first three of the movie’s four segments: Let the humans slaughter each other, and then ambush the last — and presumably strongest — warrior standing as a test of its own skill as a hunter. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hunter

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hunter was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hunter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hunter. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

hunter

noun
hunt·​er ˈhənt-ər How to pronounce hunter (audio)
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 How to pronounce Hunter (audio)
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 How to pronounce Hunter (audio)
John 1728–1793 British anatomist and surgeon

More from Merriam-Webster on hunter

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