longshoreman

American  

[lawng-shawr-muhn, -shohr-, long-] / ˈlɔŋˈʃɔr mən, -ˈʃoʊr-, ˈlɒŋ- /

noun

plural

longshoremen

1. a person employed on the wharves of a port, as in loading and unloading vessels.

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longshoreman British  

/ ˈlɒŋˌʃɔːmən /

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): docker.  a man employed in the loading or unloading of ships

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Usage

What does longshoreman mean? A longshoreman is a person who works loading and unloading shipping vessels at a dock.A longshoreman can also be called a docker or dockworker. The work of a longshoreman is called longshoring. Although the profession has traditionally been done primarily by men, women also do the job, and one can be called a longshorewoman, a woman longshoreman, or a female longshoreman.Example: When I worked as a longshoreman, I made good money, but the work was exhausting.

Gender

See -man.

Etymology

Origin of longshoreman

First recorded in 1805–15; longshore + -man

Example Sentences

John Montagna is ready to move into a new RV park in the Green Meadows West section of Harbor City, near his job as a longshoreman.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2025

I wanted to frame it and hang it on the backyard pecan tree as the longshoreman guy and I finally said ”I do.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 14, 2023

Rehearsing and performing in the barge has helped Bomba to step into the shoes of a 1950s longshoreman.

From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2023

When longshoreman Herald Ugles started working the Seattle docks in 1980, he reckons roughly half the cargo loaded was in containers, and the other half was breakbulk.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 30, 2022

The longshoreman gave her a queer look, shmgged, and walked away.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin