What does poaching mean?
Poaching most commonly means illegally taking game or other wild animals from protected land or waters. In the law and in public discussion, it carries strong associations with wildlife crime, habitat exploitation, and harm to animal populations, although the term's legal scope varies by jurisdiction. The word can extend metaphorically to unauthorized taking more generally, especially when a business recruits a valued employee from a rival. In cooking, poaching is the gentle technique of breaking an egg into simmering or otherwise hot liquid and cooking it without a shell; it can also apply to other delicate foods such as fish. As a noun, poaching usually names the practice or an act of it and is often uncountable, although “poachings” is possible when separate instances are counted. As a verb, poaching can refer to illegal hunting, taking workers from a competitor, or preparing food by this gentle method. Its connotations range from criminality to culinary precision.
The practice or act of illegally taking game or other wild animals from protected land or waters. By extension, it means unauthorized taking, such as recruiting an employee away from a competitor; in cooking, it names the method of gently cooking eggs in liquid without their shells.
"Rising poaching of rare species has prompted tighter wildlife protections."
Usually uncountable when referring to the practice; the plural is uncommon and generally distinguishes separate acts or cases.
To illegally hunt or take game or wild animals; to take or recruit someone without authorization; or to cook food gently in liquid without a shell.
"The suspect was accused of poaching antelope from the national park."
The culinary and workforce senses are figurative extensions of the original sense of taking game unlawfully.
Usually treated as an uncountable noun for the practice; the plural is uncommon and is used for separate acts or cases.
"The reserve recorded three separate poachings last year."
Poaching ranges from a serious wildlife crime to poaching eggs—and, in modern business slang, poaching a star employee.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How poaching is actually used
The wildlife sense is standard in British and American English, although legal definitions vary by jurisdiction. The culinary sense is especially common in recipe and restaurant language, while the workforce sense is informal and often mildly critical.
Easily confused with poaching
Pouching means bulging the cheeks or lips like a pouch or placing something in a pouch, whereas poaching means taking game, property, or workers without authorization.