traveler

especially British, trav·el·ler

[trav-uh-ler, trav-ler]

noun

1. a person or thing that travels.

2. a person who travels or has traveled in distant places or foreign lands.

3. traveling salesman.

4. part of a mechanism constructed to move in a fixed course.

5. Textiles.,  (in ring spinning) a small metal device that moves rapidly around the ring and guides the yarn onto the revolving bobbin.

6. Nautical.

   1. a metal ring or thimble fitted to move freely on a rope, spar, or rod.

   2. Also called horse. the rope, spar, or rod itself.

7. Theater.,  Also traveler curtain. a transverse curtain opened by being drawn from both sides of the proscenium.

8. (often initial capital letter),  a member of any of a number of traditionally itinerant peoples of the British Isles and other English-speaking areas, including, in addition to people of Romani origin, Indigenous groups such as the speakers of Shelta.

Other Word Forms

• nontraveler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of traveler¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English travaillour; travel, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Shaking out the bedding provided in a brown paper bag, I watched my fellow passengers make up their berths, tucking in starched sheets with the ease of seasoned travelers.

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China reacted with fury, urging Chinese travelers to avoid Japan, canceling cultural events and protesting at the United Nations.

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For solo travelers or couples, that means plopping down next to strangers.

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And you confide more because you know your fellow travelers—the friend who had to struggle with professional disappointments she now understands are final, or with personal ones that cannot be changed.

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Airports in the Midwest saw a decline in commerce as travel snarls kept travelers away.

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Related Words

• adventurer 
• commuter 
• hiker www.thesaurus.com
• migrant 
• passenger 
• pilgrim 
• sailor 
• tourist