Stringer
/ˈstrɪŋər/
Definitions
3 meaningsA freelance journalist who is paid per article or piece of work.
/ˈstrɪŋər/
A person, especially a journalist, who works part-time or freelance.
The stringer was dispatched to the scene of the accident.
💡 Simply: Imagine a journalist who doesn't work at a news company all the time, but writes stories for them sometimes. Like, they're on a 'string' or a list of writers the company calls on.
👶 For kids: A stringer is like a part-time news reporter who writes stories for a newspaper or website.
More Examples
Many local news outlets rely on stringers to provide coverage of smaller communities.
The stringer's article provided crucial insights into the corruption scandal.
How It's Used
"The news outlet hired a stringer to cover the local election."
"She worked as a stringer for several international publications."
A long, horizontal structural member that supports other structural elements.
/ˈstrɪŋər/
A long horizontal structural member.
The stringers provide support for the deck boards.
💡 Simply: Imagine building a staircase: the long, side pieces that hold the steps are called stringers. They're like the 'string' that holds everything together in a line.
👶 For kids: A stringer is a long piece of wood or metal that helps hold things up, like the side pieces of stairs.
More Examples
The bridge's stringers showed signs of fatigue.
Stringers are a critical component in the framework of the building.
How It's Used
"The stringers support the steps of the staircase."
"Bridge stringers bear the load of the roadway."
A line used to keep fish alive after they are caught
/ˈstrɪŋər/
Fishing gear.
He threaded the stringer through the gills of the fish.
💡 Simply: When you catch a fish, a stringer is a line that can be put through the fish's mouth to keep them alive, like having a 'string' of caught fish.
👶 For kids: The string you put through the fish you catch to keep it alive.
More Examples
The stringer helped keep the fish fresh until he got back to the dock.
He put his catches on a stringer to prevent them from getting away
How It's Used
"The fisherman used a stringer to keep his catch fresh."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Stringer-built
Referring to boats, planes, or other constructions whose structure is built using a stringer
"This stringer-built boat is very strong."
From the verb "string" + "-er." Originally referring to a person who strings things, such as beads or musical instruments, it evolved to describe reporters and structural components.
Historically, the term 'stringer' emerged from the context of stringing things, like beads or musical instruments, transitioning into its usage with journalists and construction over time.
Memory tip
Think of a 'string' of news articles that a stringer provides.
Word Origin
"to thread, extend, or connect"