trainer
Americannoun
-
a person or thing that trains.
-
a staff member on an athletic team who gives first aid and therapy to injured players.
-
a person who trains athletes; coach.
-
a person who trains racehorses or other animals for contests, shows, or performances.
-
an airplane or a simulated aircraft used in training aircrew members, especially pilots.
noun
-
a person who trains athletes in a sport
-
a piece of equipment employed in training, such as a simulated aircraft cockpit
-
horse racing a person who schools racehorses and prepares them for racing
-
(plural) an informal name for training shoes
Etymology
Origin of trainer
Explanation
A trainer is someone who teaches or coaches someone, like the trainer at the gym who promises that she'll have you ready to run a marathon in four months. Some trainers can teach you how to do sit ups, while others can instruct you to program a computer or be an effective leader. Dog trainers teach dogs to follow commands — and they teach dog owners to give commands effectively. The noun trainer comes from the verb train, "to discipline or teach," from an earlier sense, "to manipulate to bring a desired form," the way a gardener trains a rose to grow up a trellis.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I really have gone numb," fitness trainer Elaheh from Ahvaz told AFP.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
The uncertainty is weighing on everyday Iranians too, with fitness trainer Elaheh from Ahvaz telling AFP: "I really have gone numb."
From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026
Peg Pardini began as a fitness trainer and became a CPR coach in her 50s.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Pletcher, who has more Belmont wins than any living trainer, will seek his fifth Saturday with Derby runner-up Renegade, who was made the 2-1 morning-line favorite when post positions were drawn Monday afternoon.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026
The trainer told him to demand that the start be made with a bell, not simply the traditional walk-up flag, and without assistant starters.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
