stringer

1. (carpentry) The side rail supporting the rungs of a ladder or the steps of a flight of stairs.Synonyms: stile, rail

2. (journalism) A freelance correspondent not on the regular newspaper staff, especially one retained on a part-time basis to report on events in a particular place.Examples: "And he told a few stories about time he had spent in New York in the 1950s as a stringer for the Asahi newspapers… about meeting Diana Vreeland and Truman Capote and Judy Holiday."

3. (sports) A person who plays on a particular string.

4. (surfing) Wooden strip running lengthwise down the centre of a surfboard, for strength.

5. (baseball, slang, 1800s) A hard-hit ball.slang

6. (fishing) A cord or chain, sometimes with additional loops, that is threaded through the mouth and gills of caught fish.Examples: ""Okay, that's a keeper," Harold said as he netted the 3-pounder and put him on a stringer over the side of the boat."