taster

noun

tast·​er ˈtā-stər How to pronounce taster (audio)
1
: one that tastes: such as
a
: one that tests something (such as tea) for quality by tasting
b
: a person who is able to taste the chemical phenylthiocarbamide
2
: a device for tasting or sampling

Examples of taster in a Sentence

The magazine printed a taster of the author's new novel.
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.
There's much more, but this is a taster of how much money and time the partnership divert back into the area. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 Ultimately, this mayo was rather divisive, with tasters either rating it very high or very low. — Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 17 June 2026 This contender delivered on flavor as well, though tasters enjoyed it for the lighter flavor, like a cup of coffee that had a looong pour of cream. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 June 2026 In hindsight, the failure to win a single game after a 56-year wait between World Cups was just a taster of the hoodoo that haunted Egypt over the following 36 years. — Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for taster

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Phrases Containing taster

Rhymes for taster

See All Rhymes for taster

Browse Nearby Words

taste panel
taster
tastevin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Taster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taster. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

taster

noun
tast·​er ˈtā-stər How to pronounce taster (audio)
: one that tastes: as
a
: a person who has the duty of tasting food or drink prepared for another person especially to test for poison
b
: a person who is able to taste the chemical phenylthiocarbamide

Medical Definition

taster

noun
tast·​er ˈtā-stər How to pronounce taster (audio)
: a person able to taste the chemical phenylthiocarbamide

More from Merriam-Webster on taster

Nglish: Translation of taster for Spanish Speakers

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