reporter

noun

re·​port·​er ri-ˈpȯr-tər 

: one that reports: such as

a

: a person who makes authorized statements of law decisions or legislative proceedings

b

: a person who makes a shorthand record of a speech or proceeding

c(1)

: a person employed by a newspaper, magazine, or television company to gather and report news

(2)

: a person who broadcasts news

reportorial

ˌre-pər-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

ˌre-pə-

ˌrē-

adjective

reportorially

ˌre-pər-ˈtȯr-ē-ə-lē 

ˌre-pə-

ˌrē-

adverb

Synonyms

• correspondent
• intelligencer
• journalist
• newshound
• newsman
• newsperson
• pressman [British]

Examples of reporter in a Sentence

She's a reporter for one of the major networks.

the reporter was careful to ask as many questions as possible without annoying anyone

Recent Examples on the Web

The China Film Administration (CFA), the body that handles film releases and quotas in the country, released a statement on Thursday in response to a reporter’s question about whether the Trump administration’s increasing tariffs on China would impact imports of American films. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025

The Charlotte Observer Nora O’Neill is the regional accountability reporter for The Charlotte Observer. —Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025

Tracy Neal is an award-winning reporter who covers criminal justice (courts and crime) for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. —Tracy Neal, Arkansas Online, 9 Apr. 2025

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Nick Harris is the Dallas Cowboys beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing reporter

• court reporter
• cub reporter
• police reporter
• shorthand reporter

Rhymes for reporter

• colporteur
• exporter
• headquarter
• importer
• supporter
• transporter
• mortar
• quarter
• shorter
• sorter

Kids Definition

reporter

noun

re·​port·​er ri-ˈpōrt-ər 

-ˈpȯrt-

: a person who reports

especially : one employed by a newspaper, magazine, or radio or television station to gather, write, or report news

Legal Definition

reporter

noun

re·​port·​er

: one that reports: as

a

: one who makes authorized statements and publications of court decisions or legislative proceedings

also : a publication in which such reports are reproduced see also citation compare advance sheet

b

: one who makes a shorthand record of a speech or proceeding

specifically : court reporter