digger

American  

[dig-er] / ˈdɪg ər /

noun

1. a person or an animal that digs.

2. a tool, part of a machine, etc., for digging.

3. Also called Digger Indian.  (initial capital letter) a member of any of several Indian peoples of western North America, especially of a tribe that dug roots for food.

4. an Australian or New Zealand soldier of World War I.

5. (initial capital letter) a member of a group that advocated the abolition of private property and began in 1649 to cultivate certain common lands.

6. Slang. a person hired by a scalper to buy tickets to a show or performance for resale by the scalper at inflated prices.

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Digger ¹ British  

/ ˈdɪɡə /

noun

1. archaic (sometimes not capital)

   1. an Australian or New Zealander, esp a soldier: often used as a term of address

   2. ( as modifier )

      a Digger accent

2. one of a number of tribes of America whose diet was largely composed of roots dug out of the ground

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digger ² British  

/ ˈdɪɡə /

noun

1. a person, animal, or machine that digs

2. a miner, esp one who digs for gold

3. a tool or part of a machine used for excavation, esp a mechanical digger fitted with a head for digging trenches

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Etymology

Origin of digger

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; dig ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

We appreciate the ability to protect assets from gold diggers but the amounts aren’t worthy of a “dynasty” trust.

From The Wall Street Journal

The diggers, up to 62-feet high, are miniature factories that can munch their way through the toughest of rocks while laying pipes, cables and cladding as they go.

From The Wall Street Journal

Footage from the scene shows people and diggers sifting through the debris under the cover of darkness.

From BBC

Mr Haybourne says his team regularly carries out operations at the Port of Dover, to search for stolen cars, caravans, quad bikes, farm vehicles, diggers and other agricultural machinery.

From BBC

As they worked their way forward, diggers passed out from lack of oxygen and had to be dragged back by their heels.

From Literature