placer

1 of 2

noun (1)

plac·​er ˈplā-sər How to pronounce placer (audio)
: one that places: such as
a
: one that deposits or arranges
b
: one of the winners in a competition

placer

2 of 2

noun (2)

plac·​er ˈpla-sər How to pronounce placer (audio)
often attributive
: an alluvial, marine, or glacial deposit containing particles of valuable mineral and especially of gold
placer gold

Examples of placer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In her three previous trips to the state tournament, Williams has managed one win in each bracket but has not been a placer. Alex Harrison, The Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2012 Evelyn Park, River Hill, junior: Park was a top-10 placer at both districts (ninth) and counties (eighth), a key member of the Hawks county, district and state championship teams. Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2024 The top six placers from the events qualify for the 2023 Grand Prix Final, taking place in China. Tim Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 The timberlands here are rich and varied: maple, oak, beech, birch, mountain ash, and the placer gold of timber, red spruce, prized by the lumber mills for its grain, strength, and beauty. Mark Orwoll, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2023 Mason's score was aided by its 11 top-three placers, including four individual champions. Alex Harrison, The Enquirer, 27 May 2023 Amid championship level competitors such as the future world placer Shanley, a close friend of Bryanne’s, under the tutelage of Florida instructor Chrissy Deacy, who would forge a great friendship with the smiling, dreadlocked new student, Collins embraced it all. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023 Beechwood girls: Beechwood's girls claimed the Class A title with 65 team points thanks to five runners finishing in the top 22 scoring placers. Alex Harrison, The Enquirer, 16 June 2023 Leesburg 17 Individual placers (first place & locals in top 10): 101 – 1. Steve Gorches, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'placer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Spanish, from Catalan, submarine plain, from plaza place, from Latin platea broad street — more at place

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1578, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of placer was circa 1578

Dictionary Entries Near placer

Cite this Entry

“Placer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/placer. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

placer

noun
plac·​er
ˈplas-ər
: a deposit of sand or gravel containing particles of valuable mineral (as gold)

More from Merriam-Webster on placer

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