puppeteer

noun

pup·​pe·​teer ˌpə-pə-ˈtir How to pronounce puppeteer (audio)
: one who manipulates puppets

Examples of puppeteer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cohen is both a scholar of puppet history and a puppeteer himself. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2025 Davis Gates is the lead puppeteer for the union and the mayor and chief antagonist to Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez, and her mean-spirited grandstanding is little more than a series of contrived media stunts. Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025 DeVine speculated that displaying his Elmo impression around the actual Elmo puppeteer might not go over well. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 May 2025 Like any team, the Ochi puppeteers had to practice rigorously in order to create the appearance of single sentient, curious, bug-hungry baby. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for puppeteer

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of puppeteer was in 1915

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Cite this Entry

“Puppeteer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppeteer. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

puppeteer

noun
pup·​pe·​teer ˌpəp-ə-ˈti(ə)r How to pronounce puppeteer (audio)
: one who works puppets

More from Merriam-Webster on puppeteer

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