hacker

noun

hack·​er ˈha-kər How to pronounce hacker (audio)
1
: one that hacks
2
: a person who is inexperienced or unskilled at a particular activity
a tennis hacker
3
: an expert at programming and solving problems with a computer
4
: a person who illegally gains access to and sometimes tampers with information in a computer system

Examples of hacker in a Sentence

My friends and I have been playing golf for years, but we're still just a bunch of hackers. the company's security experts spent days trying to figure out how a hacker could have gotten past the firewall
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to Impact My Biz, open printer networks can be exploited by hackers to gain access to sensitive data, waste resources, or even distribute malware. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025 Her hacker friend, if there is any such thing as friendship. Bailey Richards, People.com, 30 Jan. 2025 The big picture: Ransomware gangs are more than just a bunch of young hackers coding in their basements. Sam Sabin, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025 Critics say these brokers fail to adequately protect the information, leaving it vulnerable to hackers. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for hacker 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hacker was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near hacker

Cite this Entry

“Hacker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hacker. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

hacker

noun
hack·​er ˈhak-ər How to pronounce hacker (audio)
1
: one that hacks
2
: a person who is unskilled at a particular activity
3
: an expert at programming and solving problems with a computer
4
: a person who illegally gains access to a computer system

More from Merriam-Webster on hacker

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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