# harvester

/ˈhɑɹvəstɝ/ (US) · /hˈɑːvɪstɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/harvester
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a person or machine that collects something, like crops or data. In computing, it refers to a tool that gathers information from the internet or a network.

For teachers: a person or machine that collects or gathers something, such as crops or data. In a technical context, refers to a software agent or system designed to extract and compile information from a distributed network.

## Examples

- The harvester collects the ripe wheat from the fields.
- The network administrator installed a new harvester to monitor traffic and identify potential security threats.
- In the digital age, the harvester serves as the primary interface between the vast, unstructured data of the web and the structured databases of modern enterprises.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.