Dishwasher

'dɪʃˌwɒʃər

nounBeginnerCommonTechnology

Definitions

2 meanings
1

An electrical appliance used for washing dishes, cutlery, and glassware.

'dɪʃˌwɒʃər

nounneutralBeginner
Technology

An appliance for washing dishes.

I need to load the dishwasher after dinner.

💡 Simply: Imagine a magical machine that cleans all your dirty plates and cups! That's a dishwasher. You put the dirty stuff in, and it comes out clean.

👶 For kids: A machine that washes the dishes!

More Examples

2

The dishwasher is broken and needs to be repaired.

3

We bought a new dishwasher with energy-saving features.

How It's Used

Household

"The dishwasher is running, so don't put any more dishes in."

Commercial

"Restaurants rely on industrial dishwashers to clean large quantities of dishes quickly."

2

A person whose job is to wash dishes, often in a restaurant or other food service establishment.

'dɪʃˌwɒʃər

nounneutralmedium
General

A person who washes dishes.

The restaurant advertised for a dishwasher.

💡 Simply: Before dishwashers were machines, they were people! A 'dishwasher' was someone who cleaned the dishes by hand.

👶 For kids: Someone who washes the dishes.

More Examples

2

The dishwasher worked tirelessly to keep the kitchen clean.

3

She started as a dishwasher and worked her way up to chef.

How It's Used

Historical

"In the past, a dishwasher was a common job for people in restaurants."

Informal

"The restaurant hired another dishwasher to handle the busy nights."

Tip:Think of the person 'who washes the dishes'.

From 'dish' + 'wash' + '-er'. The term originated in the late 19th century, referring initially to a person who washed dishes, then later the machine.

The term 'dishwasher' as a machine appears in advertising and patents around the late 19th century, and evolved from the manual job description.

Memory tip

Think of the appliance that washes your dishes – the dishwasher!

dish washerdish-washerdishwashar

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written