ranger

[ reyn-jer ]

noun

1. forest ranger.
2. one of a body of armed guards who patrol a region.
3. (initial capital letter) a U.S. soldier in World War II specially trained for making surprise raids and attacks in small groups. Compare commando ( def 1 ).
4. a soldier specially trained in the techniques of guerrilla warfare, especially in jungle terrain.
5. a person who ranges or roves.
6. (especially in Texas) a member of the state police.
7. British. a keeper of a royal forest or park.
8. Building Trades. wale ¹( def 5 ).
9. (initial capital letter) one of a series of instrumented U.S. space probes launched in the 1960s that transmitted closeup pictures of the moon before impacting the lunar surface.

Ranger

¹

/ ˈreɪndʒə /

noun

1. a member of the senior branch of the Guides

Ranger

²

/ ˈreɪndʒə /

noun

1. any of a series of nine American lunar probes launched between 1961 and 1965, three of which transmitted to earth photographs of the moon

ranger

³

/ ˈreɪndʒə /

noun

1. sometimes capital an official in charge of a forest, park, estate, nature reserve, etc
2. a person employed to patrol a State or national park or forest Brit equivalentwarden
3. one of a body of armed troops employed to police a State or district

   a Texas Ranger

4. (in the US and certain other armies) a commando specially trained in making raids
5. a person who wanders about large areas of country; a rover

Other Words From

• under·ranger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ranger¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; range, -er ¹

Example Sentences

"We highlight the effectiveness of park rangers in preserving this endangered species, showing that Salonga's success can serve as a model for other conservation projects."

From Science Daily

That gave Weisman — a seasonal park ranger who has worked in Alaska and worries deeply about Trump loosening environmental regulations — much-needed hope.

From Los Angeles Times

Rich Eales, a ranger for Exmoor National Park, said the bird used to breed in Exmoor.

From BBC

When the ranger’s away, the bear cub will play — and the kids will stay locked in school.

From Los Angeles Times

Charter Amendment FF would apply to about 460 park rangers, port police officers and law enforcement officers assigned to the city’s airports.

From Los Angeles Times