1. a surveyor’s assistant who carries and positions the measuring rod or staff
Usage: surveying; technical

Examples

• The rodman held the measuring staff steady while the surveyor took readings.
• As a rodman, he learned the basics of land surveying.
• The survey crew consisted of a chief surveyor, an instrument operator, and two rodmen.
• The rodman positioned the rod at each survey point as directed.
• She started her career in surveying as a rodman before becoming a licensed surveyor.