puppeteer

noun

pup·​pe·​teer ˌpə-pə-ˈtir How to pronounce puppeteer (audio)
: one who manipulates puppets

Examples of puppeteer in a Sentence

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.
Some of the characters require two to three puppeteers to control them. — Krystle Rich, CBS News, 29 May 2026 Cliff divers jump and twirl into a blue lagoon, puppeteers put on tableside shows and magicians make the rounds. — Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 Getting the pelican-frog duo to perform in unison was a feat of mechanical artistry for the team, not to mention the choreography needed by the puppeteer. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026 The film also features Sandra Hüller as mission head Eva Stratt and James Ortiz as the voice and puppeteer for the alien character Rocky. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for puppeteer

Word History

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of puppeteer was in 1915

Rhymes for puppeteer

See All Rhymes for puppeteer

Browse Nearby Words

puppet
puppeteer
puppet government
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Cite this Entry

“Puppeteer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppeteer. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

puppeteer

noun
pup·​pe·​teer ˌpəp-ə-ˈti(ə)r How to pronounce puppeteer (audio)
: one who works puppets

More from Merriam-Webster on puppeteer

Nglish: Translation of puppeteer for Spanish Speakers

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