What does trawler mean?
A trawler is a fishing vessel that catches fish and other sea creatures by towing a trawl through the water. A trawl is a large, funnel-shaped net designed to be dragged behind a boat, allowing a vessel to collect marine life across a broad area. The word is common in reports about commercial fishing, maritime work, and fishing fleets in both British and American English. A trawler differs from many other fishing boats because its defining method is dragging a net rather than using lines, traps, or nets cast from a stationary position. In broader or less common usage, a trawler can refer to any person or vessel engaged in trawling. The term is useful when the specific fishing method matters, since it identifies the vessel by its equipment and technique rather than simply describing it as a fishing boat.
nounA fishing vessel equipped with a trawl, a wide net that is dragged through the water to catch fish or other sea creatures. The term can also refer more generally to a person or vessel engaged in trawling.
- A fishing vessel designed to catch fish by towing a trawl net through the water.
- A person or vessel engaged in trawling, especially a commercial fishing vessel.
"The trawler returned to port with a full catch after several days at sea."
"The trawler spent the night at sea while its crew searched for a good catch."
"Modern trawlers use sophisticated equipment to locate and conserve valuable fish stocks."
The standard plural is trawlers.
"Several trawlers were anchored outside the harbor."
A trawler earns its name by dragging a net through the sea rather than lowering it from a stationary boat.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does trawler come from?
The noun trawler was formed in English in the 19th century by adding the agent suffix -er to trawl. Trawl was borrowed from Dutch, where it referred to a net dragged through the water, and it developed into both a noun for the net and a verb for fishing with such a net or searching through something thoroughly. Related English forms include trawling, trawled, and trawls.
Related word forms
How trawler is actually used
Trawler is primarily a maritime and commercial-fishing term. It is neutral in register but is more specialized than the broader term fishing boat.
Easily confused with trawler
A trawler is a fishing boat that drags a net through the water, whereas a trailer is a vehicle or container that is towed.