rover

1 of 2

noun (1)

ro·​ver ˈrō-vər How to pronounce rover (audio)
: pirate

rover

2 of 2

noun (2)

rov·​er ˈrō-vər How to pronounce rover (audio)
1
: a random or long-distance mark in archery
usually used in plural
2
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)

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
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.
Noun
According to Lorenzen, Moon Bound will be encased with other objects in a resin pyramid attached to a lunar rover that will travel the moon's surface. David Chiu, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025 The Royal Automobile Museum in Amman now houses the rover used in the film, a tangible monument to Jordan’s starring turn in blockbuster space cinema. Essie Assibu, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025 The rover will search for volatiles such as water ice, a resource seen as vital for sustaining astronauts and producing rocket fuel. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025 Additionally, tracks carved by falling rocks or sliding debris could bring subsurface dirt into more accessible positions for rover samples. Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rover

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rover. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

rover

1 of 2 noun
ro·​ver ˈrō-vər How to pronounce rover (audio)

rover

2 of 2 noun
rov·​er ˈrō-vər How to pronounce rover (audio)
: a person who roves around : roamer

More from Merriam-Webster on rover

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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