miner

American  

[mahy-ner] / ˈmaɪ nər /

noun

1. Also called mineworker.  a person who works in a mine, especially a commercial mine producing coal or metallic ores.

   His ancestors were slate miners in Wales who emigrated to the United States.

2. a mechanical device used in mining.

   She made her money by developing a miner for extracting ores from the ocean floor.

3. any of several Australian birds of the genus Manorina, feeding on honey and typically having a loud call.

4. Entomology. any of various insect larvae that create tunnels in the parenchyma of leaves.

5. Digital Technology.

   1. a computer or network of computers engaged in solving sets of mathematical problems that are used to verify cryptocurrency transactions and that, when solved, yield a unit of the currency.

   2. a software application that is designed to run this process.

   3. a person or company that engages in this process.

6. (formerly) a person who places or lays explosive mines.

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miner British  

/ ˈmaɪnə /

noun

1. a person who works in a mine

2. Also called: continuous miner.  a large machine for the automatic extraction of minerals, esp coal, from a mine

3. any of various insects or insect larvae that bore into and feed on plant tissues See also leaf miner

4. any of several honey-eaters of the genus Manorina, esp M. melanocephala (noisy miner), of scrub regions See noisy miner

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Etymology

Origin of miner

First recorded in 1225–75; mine ² + -er ¹; replacing Middle English minour, from Anglo-French ( -or ² )

Example Sentences

The majority of miners issued their 2026 guidance alongside capital market days in December, which means upcoming results shouldn’t include any major surprises, they add.

From The Wall Street Journal

The shares for a majority of London’s miners fell in opening trade as futures for gold and silver slipped.

From The Wall Street Journal

Find insight on Canadian gold miners, Sandfire Resources, precious metals prices and more in the latest Market Talks covering basic materials.

From The Wall Street Journal

A furious rally in metals prices has helped revive flagging materials stocks, including shares of metals miners.

From MarketWatch

A furious rally in metals prices has helped revive flagging materials stocks, including shares of metals miners.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• prospector