washer

[wosh-er, waw-sher]

noun

1. a person or thing that washes.

2. washing machine.

3. a flat ring or perforated piece of leather, rubber, metal, etc., used to give tightness to a joint, to prevent leakage, to distribute pressure, etc., as under the head of a nut or bolt.

washer

/ ˈwɒʃə /

noun

1. a person or thing that washes

2. a flat ring or drilled disc of metal used under the head of a bolt or nut to spread the load when tightened

3. any flat ring of rubber, felt, metal, etc, used to provide a seal under a nut or in a tap or valve seat

4. See washing machine

5. chemical engineering a device for cleaning or washing gases or vapours; scrubber

6. a face cloth; flannel

Other Word Forms

• washerless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of washer¹

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; wash, -er ¹

Example Sentences

The company said earlier this month it plans to spend $300 million to update two Ohio factories where it produces washers and dryers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Methanol is an industrial chemical found in antifreeze and windscreen washer fluid.

Read more on BBC

They were apparently drawn by vibrations from their equipment, including a dry washer and a generator.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In an interview, McOsker said he was horrified by the conditions at the Wilmington site, including narrow driving lanes, food for sale outdoors and washers and dryers connected with extension cords.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For example, many of the handbag straps feature washers strung on ribbons, referencing a series of jewelry designs Anni Albers made with Alexander Reed in 1940.

Read more on Los Angeles Times