1. a military engineer who specializes in digging trenches, tunnels, and fortifications
Usage: military
2. a soldier who digs tunnels under enemy fortifications to plant explosives
Usage: military; historical

Examples

• The sappers worked through the night to dig defensive trenches.
• Enemy sappers had tunneled beneath the castle walls.
• The army’s sapper unit was responsible for clearing the minefield.
• During the siege, sappers planted explosives under the fortress.
• The sapper carefully defused the roadside bomb.
• Royal Engineers trained as sappers learn demolition techniques.