promoter

noun

pro·​mot·​er prə-ˈmō-tər How to pronounce promoter (audio)
Synonyms of promoternext
1
: one that promotes
especially : one who assumes the financial responsibilities of a sporting event (such as a boxing match) including contracting with the principals, renting the site, and collecting gate receipts
2
obsolete : prosecutor
3
: a substance that in very small amounts is able to increase the activity of a catalyst
4
: a binding site in a DNA chain at which RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription of messenger RNA by one or more nearby structural genes

Synonyms of promoter

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of promoter in a Sentence

a promoter of greater understanding and cooperation among churches
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.
As for music, expect a broad menu of noisemakers with national, regional and local buzz, programmed by co-organizer and veteran music promoter Steev Rullman of PureHoney Magazine and Bumblefest fame. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026 Terrell, who is gay and doubles as a night-club promoter, brings in scores of drinkers to their perpetually sleepy pub, transforming it into Philadelphia’s trendiest gay bar. — Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 The concert promoter’s local portfolio leaves a gap in the market for acts that have graduated beyond the smaller venues but aren’t yet drawing arena-sized crowds, Schalk said. — Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026 Colón’s family filed a $50 million lawsuit against Ashby and the fight’s promoters for allowing the fight to continue. — Matt Moret, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for promoter

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Phrases Containing promoter

Rhymes for promoter

See All Rhymes for promoter

Browse Nearby Words

promotee
promoter
promoter of the faith
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Promoter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promoter. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

promoter

noun
pro·​mot·​er prə-ˈmōt-ər How to pronounce promoter (audio)
: a person who promotes
especially : one who finances a sporting event
a promoter of prizefights

Medical Definition

promoter

noun
pro·​mot·​er -ˈmōt-ər How to pronounce promoter (audio)
1
: a substance that in very small amounts is able to increase the activity of a catalyst
2
: a binding site in a DNA chain at which RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription of messenger RNA by one or more nearby structural genes
3
: a chemical believed to promote carcinogenicity or mutagenicity

Legal Definition

promoter

noun
pro·​mot·​er
: one who alone or with others actively participates in the formation of a business or venture
promoters owe a fiduciary duty to the corporation they are promoting—R. C. Clark

More from Merriam-Webster on promoter

Nglish: Translation of promoter for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about promoter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All