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 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 of rover

Noun (2)

• nomad
• wanderer
• traveler
• drifter
• roamer
• 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

For the first few years, the United States and China would need only enough power to keep equipment warm and to charge rovers, vehicles that roam the surface. — Selam Gebrekidan, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Starting as a rover, a hybrid linebacker/safety, Hara has 45 tackles, including two for loss. — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

Both technologies were scaled up for NASA's next rovers on Mars, Spirit and Opportinity, which launched in 2004. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 27 Sep. 2026

However, there's a planet-sized difference between sending a 1,025-kg (2,260-lb) craft, the heaviest of the rovers, and sending enough materials to erect a functional building. — New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for rover

• clover
• drover
• over
• prover
• stover
• trover
• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover

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