spotter

noun

spot·​ter ˈspä-tər How to pronounce spotter (audio)
1
: one that makes or applies a spot (as for identification)
2
: one that looks or keeps watch: such as
a
: one that locates enemy targets
b
: a civilian who watches for approaching airplanes
c
: a person who assists another during exercise (as to prevent injury)
3
: one that removes spots
4
: one that places something on or in a desired spot

Examples of spotter in a Sentence

When you lift weights, you should always have a spotter.
Recent Examples on the Web Normally these drones act as spotters for Lancet kamikaze drones, which are more resistant to jamming and which carry a heavier warhead than an FPV like the Ghoul. David Hambling, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Weather spotters are encouraged to report snow accumulations to the weather service. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 18 Jan. 2024 The troops then identified three people in the vicinity, operating as spotters for Hamas by guiding their attacks in the direction of the IDF troops. Claire Porter Robbins, The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2024 In response, our troops fired towards the spotters and hits were identified. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 20 Dec. 2023 Then, on Sunday, spotters in a slow-flying plane identified and began tracking several wolves, communicating information to a separate team in a helicopter that tranquilized them from the air. Anna Kramer, New York Times, 19 Dec. 2023 The shot spotter technology recorded 36 shots had been fired. Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 22 July 2023 The relaxed, prairie-like aesthetic gives off a natural and sophisticated feel—and as is often noted by trend spotters, the trend cycle tends to shift from one extreme to another in terms of style. Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2023 The spotter would go out, reconnoiter, determine how off the missile had been and call Kysil back. James Verini Paolo Pellegrin, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spotter was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near spotter

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

spotter

noun
spot·​ter ˈspät-ər How to pronounce spotter (audio)
1
: a person who removes spots
2
: a person who keeps watch : observer
3
: a person who helps another during exercise (as to prevent injury)

More from Merriam-Webster on spotter

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