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 used in 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

Noun (2)

• drifter
• gadabout
• gypsy
• knockabout
• maunderer
• nomad
• rambler
• roamer
• stroller
• vagabond
• wanderer
• 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

Before even getting into the coding challenges, users can trick out Mochi Bear’s Lego-compatible rover with bricks from home. —Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Nov. 2024

However, no evidence of such activity has been found at Mount Sharp, the 3-mile-tall mountain where the rover is exploring. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

The lander deployed a small rover to drive across the lunar surface, returning the first detailed measurements of soil composition near the Moon's south pole. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 19 Sep. 2024

There are times when the strong or free safety is a single-high safety, but the rover mostly plays closer to the formation and has more man coverage responsibilities. —Kennington Smith Iii, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024

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

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