rancher

noun

ranch·​er ˈran-chər How to pronounce rancher (audio)
Synonyms of ranchernext
: one who owns or works on a ranch

Examples of rancher 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.
And the president's new plan to import ground beef has rattled many ranchers. — Gaby Vinick, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 Two people died, and thousands of livestock were lost as ranchers faced massive damage to their land, homes and infrastructure. — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Hig thaws out a bit when an emergency landing drops him in the orbit of a paranoid rancher (Guy Pearce) and his daughter, Cima (Margaret Qualley). — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026 Gus Mundt, a fourth-generation Montana rancher and dad to a 3-year-old girl, braced at the thought of selling his heifers at lower prices. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rancher

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rancher was in 1836

Browse Nearby Words

ranche
rancher
rancheria
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rancher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rancher. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rancher

noun
ranch·​er ˈran-chər How to pronounce rancher (audio)
: a person who owns or works on a ranch

More from Merriam-Webster on rancher

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rancher

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