ragpicker

noun
rag·​pick·​er | \ ˈrag-ˌpi-kər How to pronounce ragpicker (audio) \

Definition of ragpicker

: one who collects rags and refuse for a livelihood

Examples of ragpicker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His figures aren’t gleaners or ragpickers or serfs or slaves. Brian T. Allen, National Review, "A Closer Look at Rockwell’s Four Freedoms," 22 June 2019 A few hundred thousand people earn money from being ragpickers in Delhi. New York Times, "‘The Dump Killed My Son’: Mountains of Garbage Engulf India’s Capital," 10 June 2018 Political will to find a solution is weakened because of ragpickers who live in nearby slums and remove plastic from the dumps. New York Times, "‘The Dump Killed My Son’: Mountains of Garbage Engulf India’s Capital," 10 June 2018 Bangladesh may be able to copy India which, despite its 1.3bn people, falls outside the top ten thanks to armies of ragpickers. The Economist, "Plastic surgeryDon’t bin plastic. To solve the polymer problem look East," 1 Mar. 2018 The chic type might go to a pricier boutique like Screaming Mimi’s or Gypsy Mens NY — or turn to local ragpickers and craftspeople who now specialize in creating Burning Man costumes. Annie Correal, New York Times, "Bound for Burning Man, but First, the Costume," 18 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ragpicker.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ragpicker

1680, in the meaning defined above

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