renter

American  

[ren-ter] / ˈrɛn tər /

noun

1. a person or organization that holds, or has the use of, property by payment of rent. rent.

---

ˈrenter British  

/ ˈrɛntə /

noun

1. a person who lets his property in return for rent, esp a landlord

2. a person who rents property from another; tenant

3. a distributor of films to cinemas for commercial showing

---

Etymology

Origin of renter

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

Example Sentences

This might be a program where a renter stays for an agreed number of years in return for a lump sum at the end of the tenancy that can be put toward a down payment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

As a longtime renter, I’d grown accustomed to leaving such problems to the maintenance guy at my apartment complex.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

When a renter moved into a Lake Tahoe cabin this winter, he expected to have the place to himself.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

Tracy said she pays about half of what an average single renter would pay and as she is expected to help out for just 10 hours a week, she is still able to work.

From BBC • Dec. 21, 2025

I wondered what the renter was thinking about.

From "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer

Related Words

• occupant