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)

• traveller
• gypsy
• nomad
• wanderer
• bird of passage
• drifter
• traveler
• roamer
• 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

Later, Mars rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance captured dust devils zooming across the desolate Martian landscape. —Unnati Ashar, Space.com, 2 July 2025

For example, take the 1970 Ferrari Modulo that looks like it was designed as a pancaked NASA rover. —Joe Salas july 01, New Atlas, 1 July 2025

Curiosity rover is in an area called Gale Crater, and evidence has shown that when it was formed, water was percolating under the surface. —Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025

The Soviet Lunokhod rovers conducted two successful missions on the moon in 1970 and 1973. —IEEE Spectrum, 31 May 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

Rhymes for rover

• clover
• drover
• over
• prover
• stover
• trover
• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover

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