traveler

[ trav-uh-ler, trav-ler ]

noun

1. a person or thing that travels.
2. a person who travels or has traveled in distant places or foreign lands.
3. traveling salesman.
4. part of a mechanism constructed to move in a fixed course.
5. Textiles. (in ring spinning) a small metal device that moves rapidly around the ring and guides the yarn onto the revolving bobbin.
6. Nautical.
   1. a metal ring or thimble fitted to move freely on a rope, spar, or rod.
   2. Also called horse. the rope, spar, or rod itself.
7. Also trav·eler cur·tain. Theater. a transverse curtain opened by being drawn from both sides of the proscenium.
8. (often initial capital letter) Chiefly British. a member of any of a number of traditionally itinerant peoples of the British Isles and other English-speaking areas, including, in addition to people of Romani origin, Indigenous groups such as the speakers of Shelta.

Other Words From

• non·trav·el·er especially British, non·trav·ell·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of traveler¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English travaillour; travel, -er ¹

Related Words

• adventurer
• commuter
• hiker
• migrant
• passenger
• pilgrim
• sailor
• tourist