teacher

1 of 2

noun (1)

teach·​er ˈtē-chər How to pronounce teacher (audio)
Synonyms of teachernext
1
: one that teaches
especially : one whose occupation is to instruct
2
: a Latter-day Saint ranking above a deacon in the Aaronic priesthood

teacher bird

2 of 2

noun (2)

variants or less commonly teacher
1
: ovenbird sense 2
2
: red-eyed vireo

Synonyms of teacher

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Noun (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of teacher in a Sentence

Noun (1) Experience is a good teacher. She is a first-grade teacher. a teacher of driver's education
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
An elementary school teacher in the Philadelphia suburbs has been arrested and charged with manufacturing child pornography, federal officials said. — Laura Fay, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Bahlani points to teachers, drivers and health care workers as examples. — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Colleges put limits on the right of students and teachers to express points of view that departed from this new apparent consensus. — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 Iranian officials said that at least 120 students and 26 teachers died in a missile strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for teacher

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

imitative

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Phrases Containing teacher

Rhymes for teacher

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Browse Nearby Words

teachable moment
teacher
teacher's pet
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Teacher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teacher. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

teacher

noun
teach·​er ˈtē-chər How to pronounce teacher (audio)
: one that teaches
especially : a person whose occupation is to instruct
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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