1. fishing boats that drag large nets through the water to catch fish
Usage: nautical; plural of trawler

Examples

• The harbor was filled with trawlers returning from their morning catch.
• Commercial trawlers can stay at sea for weeks at a time.
• The fishing fleet consisted of twelve large trawlers.
• Trawlers use specialized nets to capture schools of fish.
• Environmental groups are concerned about the impact of trawlers on ocean ecosystems.
• The captain owns three trawlers that operate off the coast.