stringer

noun

string·​er ˈstriŋ-ər 

1

: one that strings

2

: a string, wire, or chain often with snaps on which fish are strung by a fisherman

3

: a narrow vein or irregular filament of mineral traversing a rock mass of different material

4

a

: a long horizontal timber to connect uprights in a frame or to support a floor

b

: string sense 8

c

: a tie in a truss

5

a

: a longitudinal member extending from bent to bent of a railroad bridge and carrying the track

b

: a longitudinal member (as in an airplane fuselage or wing) to reinforce the skin

6

a

: a news correspondent who is paid space rates

b

: a reporter who works for a publication or news agency on a part-time basis

broadly : correspondent

7

: one estimated to be of specified excellence or efficiency

—used in combination

first-stringer

second-stringer

Examples of stringer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Raiola was so awful, going 6-19 for 43 yards and two interceptions, that Lanning benched him for third stringer Brock Thomas. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

The stringer had felt the chug of that boat and heard the clap of the mullet, not Bragg. — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026

Washington was already without starter Jayden Daniels, who had been ruled out Friday because of an elbow injury, so third-stringer Athan Kaliakmanis was called into action. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

However, Bagent is expected to serve as the backup to third-stringer Case Keenum, who will start, according to multiple reports. — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stringer

• bringer
• clinger
• dinger
• inger
• ringer
• slinger
• springer
• stinger
• winger
• wringer

Kids Definition

stringer

noun

string·​er ˈstriŋ-ər 

1

: one that strings

2

: a long piece of wood or metal used for support or strengthening in a building (as under a floor)