dishwasher

American  

[dish-wosh-er, -waw-sher] / ˈdɪʃˌwɒʃ ər, -ˌwɔ ʃər /

noun

• dishwashers
  plural

1. a person who washes dishes.

2. a machine for washing dishes, kitchen utensils, etc., automatically.

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dishwasher British  

/ ˈdɪʃˌwɒʃə /

noun

1. an electrically operated machine for washing, rinsing, and drying dishes, cutlery, etc

2. a person who washes dishes, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• dishwashers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of dishwasher

First recorded in 1520–30; dish + washer

Explanation

If you work as a dishwasher, your job involves cleaning the glasses, plates, bowls, and silverware at a restaurant or cafe. You're also a dishwasher if you volunteer to wash the dishes after dinner at home. Some dishwashers scrub pots, pans, and dishes by hand, while others simply load up the other kind of dishwasher — a machine that automatically cleans dishes. While a human dishwasher has to scrub to get the dishes clean, a mechanical dishwasher sprays extremely hot water to do the same job. This new and improved type of dishwasher was invented in the late 19th century.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dishwasher dishwashers

I like to save on time and kitchen clean-up because I don’t have a dishwasher, so store-bought is my preferred option.

From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026

But training them to safely perform household tasks like ironing or stacking the dishwasher is proving difficult and costly.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

Avoid using the oven on scorching days and delay running the dishwasher, washer or dryer until the cooler evening hours.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 29, 2026

He got a job as a dishwasher at an Indian restaurant in Beverly Hills.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2026

I, meanwhile, lived for the shelter of home—for the sense of completeness I felt each night with Sasha and Malia tucked into their beds and the dishwasher humming in the kitchen.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Ovens, hobs, tumble dryers, washing machines and dishwashers can all make indoor spaces warmer.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

Running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

"Raise your thermostat as high as is comfortably safe," the company urged, while calling on residents to delay using laundry, dishwashers and electric vehicle chargers until after 8:00 pm.

From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026

Its membership at SoFi Stadium includes cashiers, dishwashers, cooks, bartenders and concessions workers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

I learn that he is not paid by Jerry’s but by the “agent” who shipped him over—$5 an hour, with the agent getting the dollar or so difference between that and what Jerry’s pays dishwashers.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich