poached; poaching; poaches
: to cook in simmering liquid
poached; poaching; poaches
1
: to encroach upon especially for the purpose of taking something
2
: to trespass for the purpose of stealing game
also
: to take game or fish illegally
1
: to trespass on
a field poached too frequently by the amateur—
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
2
a
: to take (game or fish) by illegal methods
b
: to appropriate (something) as one's own
c
: to attract (someone, such as an employee or customer) away from a competitor
Examples of poach in a Sentence
Verb (1)
poaching fish in a stock flavored with white wine
Recent Examples on the Web
Julia Ranney, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
The vast majority of these antlers and furs were seized or otherwise obtained by the DWR during poaching investigations, in which cases the poachers would have been court-ordered to forfeit the items.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 27 Mar. 2025
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule also cited the event as an opportunity for opponents to poach his players in the spring portal window.
—Jenna West, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
It is estimated that thousands are poached every year for the ivory market.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poach
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Verb
Were Manchester City serious title contenders having poached Vivianne Miedema from a direct rival on a free transfer?
—Cite this Entry
“Poach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poach. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
Kids Definition
poach
1 of 2 verb
: to cook in simmering liquid
poached eggs
poach
2 of 2 verb
: to hunt or fish unlawfully
poacher
noun
Etymology
Verb
Middle English pochen "to boil an egg without its shell so that the white covers the yolk like a bag," from early French pocher (same meaning), from earlier pochier, literally, "to put into a bag," from poche "bag, pocket"
Verb
from early French pocher "to hunt or fish unlawfully"
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