fighter

American  

[fahy-ter] / ˈfaɪ tər /

noun

1. a boxer; pugilist.

2. Military. an aircraft designed to seek out and destroy enemy aircraft in the air and to protect bomber aircraft.

3. a person who fights, struggles, resists, etc.

4. a person with the will, courage, determination, ability, or disposition to fight, struggle, resist, etc.

5. an animal, as a dog, trained to fight or having the disposition to fight.

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fighter British  

/ ˈfaɪtə /

noun

1. a person who fights, esp a professional boxer

2. a person who has determination

3. military an armed aircraft designed for destroying other aircraft

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Other Word Forms

• nonfighter noun

Etymology

Origin of fighter

before 1000; Middle English; Old English fēohtere. See fight, -er ¹

Example Sentences

He poured forces into the region including two aircraft carriers, half a dozen B-2 bombers, a squadron of advanced F-35 fighters, and destroyers armed with guided missiles.

From The Wall Street Journal

We can howl about how this stuff hurts the business of up-and-coming fighters, but aging punchers grabbing late checks is a staple of the trade.

From The Wall Street Journal

India’s acquisition of advanced fighter jets—in the works for more than two decades—highlights a paradox of the country’s defense modernization: India is undoubtedly stronger than before.

From The Wall Street Journal

After some long-winded bickering between the two camps, the fighters - relatively restrained until that point - finally sparked into life.

From BBC

Despite being outnumbered, Williams took down four of the jet fighters as his plane was hit more than 260 times and he was severely injured.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assailant
• boxer
• champion
• combatant
• mercenary
• militant
• opponent
• soldier
• tanker
• warlord
• warrior