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

Earlier this week, the agency asked private companies for partnership proposals that would allow the rover to perform its planned science work near the lunar south pole. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2025

Intuitive Machines 3: This CLPS mission will put a lander and rover on the moon's Reiner Gamma region in the Oceanus Procellarum. —George Petras, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025

There is a chance the mounds could be investigated by the rover, which may reveal more about the history of water on the red planet and pinpoint resources for future human exploration. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025

The new mission carries a rover designed to collect lunar soil samples and test for potential water and food sources, which are both crucial for future lunar colonization. —Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

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