dozer
1 Americannoun
noun
noun
Usage
What does dozer mean? Dozer is commonly used as a short form of the word bulldozer, a large tractor that has a big, blade-like shovel at the front and moves around using metal tracks over wheels. They’re typically used to move earth and clear debris from an area. Less commonly, bulldozer can also mean a person who intentionally tries to intimidate others. In fact, this was its original use, first recorded in the 1870s. The verb bulldoze comes from around the same time. Today, bulldoze typically means to use a bulldozer, such as to move dirt or clear an area, or, more figuratively, to move forward or advance in an aggressive or forceful way. However, bulldoze originally meant to intimidate, such as with threats of violence. Early records of this use refer to violent attacks, especially whipping, against African Americans by white people in the Southern United States. However, the origin of these words, and how bulldozer came to be a name for a type of tractor, is ultimately unclear. Unrelatedly, dozer is also an informal word for someone who dozes—falls asleep or sleeps for a short time, especially without trying to. This use of the word dozer precedes its use in bulldozer.
Etymology
Origin of dozer1
First recorded in 1700–10; doze 1 + -er 1
Origin of dozer2
By shortening
Vocabulary lists containing dozer
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cal Fire confirmed a dozer line was created to help clear vegetation around the fire’s perimeter.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2025
The Maria fire burned about 15 acres, and about 140 firefighters were involved in the battle, along with three helicopters and one dozer.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2025
One day a dozer operator broke through the upper crust of snow and fell, machine and all, into the dining room of the original station.
From Salon • May 29, 2023
“Timber, everything. I even had an old dozer up there to make ponds for the cows, and everything burned.”
From Seattle Times • Jun. 10, 2022
Instantly the rockets cut off, drums of fuel and air and food came out of the cargo-hatch and Pop swept forward with the dozer.
From Scrimshaw by Freas, Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
