naturalist

noun

nat·​u·​ral·​ist ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-list 

1

: one that advocates or practices naturalism

2

: a student of natural history

especially : a field biologist

Examples of naturalist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Participants completing the course will receive pins, patches, and certificates identifying them as Florida coastal systems naturalists. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025

Others remembered flipping through the pages of a 1976 issue of National Geographic as children, awestruck by its iconic cover shot of Mexican naturalist Catalina Trail (née Aguado) cloaked in the butterflies. —Chloe Berge, AFAR Media, 14 Mar. 2025

Go early for a free tree sapling, buy native plants, and visit with Johnson County K-State Research and Extension master gardeners, Extension master naturalists, nonprofit organizations and local plant societies. —Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025

In 1858, British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace wrote Charles Darwin a letter while burning with fever in a remote hut in the Malay Archipelago. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

naturalist

noun

nat·​u·​ral·​ist ˈnach-(ə-)rə-ləst 

: a person who specializes in natural history

naturalist adjective