Dictionary
privateer
noun pri·va·teer \ˌprī-və-ˈtir\
: a ship used in the past to attack and rob other ships; also : a sailor on a privateer
Full Definition of PRIVATEER
: an armed private ship licensed to attack enemy shipping; also : a sailor on such a ship
— privateer intransitive verb
See privateer defined for English-language learners
See privateer defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of PRIVATEER
1664
Rhymes with PRIVATEER
Agadir, atmosphere, auctioneer, balladeer, bandolier, bathysphere, bayadere, Bedfordshire, Bedivere, belvedere, bend one's ear, biosphere, bombardier, boutonniere, brigadier, buccaneer, budgeteer, Cambridgeshire, cameleer, cannoneer, canyoneer, cassimere, cavalier, chandelier, chanticleer, chevalier, chiffonier, chocolatier, chromosphere, commandeer, corsetiere, crystal clear, cuirassier, Derbyshire, diapir, disappear, domineer, ecosphere, Elzevir, engineer, exosphere, fallow deer, fictioneer, financier, fiscal year, fourdrinier, fusilier, gadgeteer, gasolier, gazetteer, ginger beer, Gloucestershire, gondolier, grenadier, Guinevere, hemisphere, Hertfordshire, Holy Year, inner ear, insincere, interfere, in the clear, jardiniere, junketeer, kerseymere, landing gear, lavaliere, marketeer, Meyerbeer, middle ear, missileer, mountaineer, muleteer, musketeer, mutineer, on one's ear, outer ear, overhear, overseer, oversteer, Oxfordshire, pamphleteer, persevere, photosphere, pioneer, pistoleer, profiteer, puppeteer, racketeer, rocketeer, running gear, scrutineer, sloganeer, sonneteer, souvenir, Staffordshire, steering gear, stratosphere, summiteer, swimmer's ear, thermosphere, troposphere, Tyne and Wear, understeer, vintage year, Vladimir, volunteer, Warwickshire, Windermere, yesteryear
PRIVATEER Defined for Kids
privateer
noun pri·va·teer \ˌprī-və-ˈtir\
Definition of PRIVATEER for Kids
1
: a privately owned armed ship permitted by its government to make war on ships of an enemy country
2
: a sailor on a privateer
Learn More About PRIVATEER
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: privateersmanPrevious Word in the Dictionary: private enterpriseAll Words Near: privateer
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up privateer? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).