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

Dishwasher jobs are among the hardest-to-fill positions in the U.S. restaurant industry, with operators advertising tens of thousands of jobs last year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Dishwasher and prep cook Jose Flores Esqueda lodged yet another complaint, saying Caliente Cantina did not compensate him for $1,080 worth of work that same year.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 23, 2022

Dishwasher tabs are stashed in a stoneware canister from T.J.

From Washington Post • Mar. 3, 2020

The Tetra Dishwasher The Duo carafe, unfortunately, is much more at a prototype stage.

From The Verge • Jan. 6, 2019

For thirty days—ninety meals—we will put the Fairy Dishwasher in your home, without charging you a penny.

From Business English A Practice Book by Buhlig, Rose