ranger

noun

rang·​er ˈrān-jər How to pronounce ranger (audio)
1
a
: the keeper of a British royal park or forest
2
: one that ranges
3
a
: one of a body of organized armed men who range over a region especially to enforce the law
b
: a soldier specially trained in close-range fighting and in raiding tactics

Examples of ranger in a Sentence

She's now a ranger at a national forest in Montana. We were fortunate enough to get a tour from a ranger when we visited Yellowstone National Park.
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.
The neighboring cities of Carlsbad and San Marcos both have ranger programs with full-time employees who help enforce regulations, assist with events and programs, and maintain a safe and welcoming environment for park visitors. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025 After news of Jackson's death was made public, many within the hiking community called for greater safety measures to keep rangers safe. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 12 July 2025 The National Park Service hosts ranger talks, and there are tours and reenactments in Gettysburg. Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 5 July 2025 The driver of the ski trail groomer, DNR ranger Roy Pederson, died at the scene. Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ranger

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ranger was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ranger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ranger. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

ranger

noun
rang·​er ˈrān-jər How to pronounce ranger (audio)
1
2
a
: a member of a body of troops who range over a region
b
: a soldier in an army unit with special training (as parachute jumping and scuba diving) for making surprise attacks and raids

More from Merriam-Webster on ranger

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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