noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of trainee
Explanation
If you're a trainee, you're being taught to do a new job. If you're hired at your local grocery store, you'll likely spend some time as a trainee before you're allowed to work the cash register on your own. Whenever someone goes through training, especially for a new job or skill, they can be called a trainee. If you're learning a new computer coding language, you might be a Python or Java trainee. And if you're in your first week at a coffee shop job, you're probably still a barista trainee. Trainee dates back to the mid-19th century, from the verb train, "instruct."
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.
See Examples For:
Throughout the show's run, more than 170 trainee roles were created through an initiative led by the production team.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
She eventually landed a gig as a management trainee at the city administrative officer’s office, writing a 2015 report on how Los Angeles was dealing with a burgeoning homeless crisis.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026
As a chaplaincy trainee, I entered the hospital expecting to encounter ritual in overtly religious settings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
ABC News, citing senior intelligence and law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation, reported the suspect had allegedly been found in possession of extremist materials while a trainee.
From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026
As he spoke each spice aloud, canisters left the enormous shelf, floating over each trainee and sprinkling three scoops into their tiny metal tins.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
The report recommended minimum wage rates for year one and two trainees remained at £10.50 and £11.75 per hour respectively for one more year from 1 April.
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
The protest was led by parents of the 43 teacher trainees from Ayotzinapa, who led the procession to the capital's main square, where the government palace is located.
From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026
“One of these trainees killed someone in Oklahoma that should have never been on the roadway,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2026
She declined to disclose her salary, but trainees in her field are reported to make $70,000 to $80,000.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026
The doors opened and the trainees started to leave.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
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