welder

American  

[wel-der] / ˈwɛl dər /

Rarely weldor

noun

1. a person who unites or fuses pieces of metal by hammering, compressing, or the like, usually after softening them by heat.

   Our machinists and welders take your metal project from 3D image to the real thing.

2. a tool or machine used to unite or fuse pieces of metal.

   The portable spot welder is connected by a long cable so you can take it to wherever it’s needed.

3. a person or thing that unites other people or things harmoniously.

   She’s a great welder of ideas, writing in a way that revives the best from the past and applies it to today’s issues.

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Etymology

Origin of welder

First recorded in 1805–15; weld ¹ ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

Someone or something whose job involves fusing two pieces of metal together is a welder. If you dream of wielding a blowtorch as you help build a ship, car, or skyscraper, you might enjoy being a welder. A welder's work or hobby is welding — joining one piece of metal to another using heat or pressure, or both. Most welders use a blowtorch that sends showers of sparks into the air as it reaches temperatures of 4,000 degrees or higher. Welders dress in protective gear, including heat-resistant helmets with a darkened lens, safety glasses or goggles, and flame-resistant clothing. A welder is also what we call a machine that is used for welding. The word welder is from weld, which was altered from well, "to boil or rise."

Example Sentences

Welder fabricator Wesley was heading back to his workshop when he and his uncle noticed the car on fire in the lay-by.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2026

Ms. Hayden graduated from Patti Welder High School and the two-year program at Victoria College, where she was student council secretary, and then enrolled at the University of Texas.

From New York Times • Jan. 13, 2023

Welder died at her monastery home south of Bismarck, the school announced Monday.

From Washington Times • Jun. 22, 2020

The five-way Democratic primary featured labor lawyer Brent Welder, who campaigned recently with self-described democratic socialists Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and ascending political star, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York congressional candidate.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 8, 2018

We also acknowledge a loan of field equipment provided by Dr. Clarence Cottam, Director of the Welder Wildlife Research Foundation, Sinton, Texas.

From Vertebrates from the Barrier Island of Tamaulipas, M?xico by Johnston, Richard F.