diffuser
Americannoun
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a person or thing that diffuses.
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(in various machines or mechanical systems, as centrifugal pumps or compressors) a device for utilizing part of the kinetic energy of a fluid passing through a machine by gradually increasing the cross-sectional area of the channel or chamber through which it flows so as to decrease its speed and increase its pressure.
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(in a lighting fixture) any of a variety of translucent materials for filtering glare from the light source.
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a pierced plate or similar device for distributing compressed air for aeration of sewage.
noun
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a person or thing that diffuses
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a part of a lighting fixture consisting of a translucent or frosted covering or of a rough reflector: used to scatter the light and prevent glare
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a cone, wedge, or baffle placed in front of the diaphragm of a loudspeaker to diffuse the sound waves
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a duct, esp in a wind tunnel or jet engine, that widens gradually in the direction of flow to reduce the speed and increase the pressure of the air or fluid
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photog a light-scattering medium, such as a screen of fine fabric, placed in the path of a source of light to reduce the sharpness of shadows and thus soften the lighting
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a perforated plate or similar device for distributing compressed air in the aeration of sewage
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a device, attached to a hairdryer, which diffuses the warm air as it comes out
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of diffuser
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.
See Examples For:
They will also carry a portable scent diffuser throughout the experience.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
Mark Myshatyn uses his 3-D printer to create things he needs around the home, such as a light diffuser for photography.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 16, 2026
The fundamental aerodynamic philosophy is a return to so-called 'step-plane' cars, with a flat bottom either side of the central chassis reference plane, with a diffuser at the back.
From BBC ● Dec. 9, 2025
A diffuser can help spread fragrance throughout your home for an extended period of time.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 20, 2024
The styling and drying process was extremely complicated—Mari wrapped individual strands of hair around the handle of a comb and then used a hairdryer with a diffuser attachment on each individual curl.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
His response: "Everything is out of stock - candles, diffusers."
From BBC ● Jan. 9, 2026
It recently installed scent diffusers with its Fresh Balsam fragrance in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal to accompany its messaging for four weeks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 25, 2025
“From forecasting demand and budgeting to producing our candles, diffusers and seasonal gift collections months in advance.”
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 8, 2025
If you have them, look for diffusers and bulbs that offer warm colors — for LEDs, the color temperature should be a warm white of about 2,700 Kelvin — and make sure you have dimmers.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 8, 2024
Scents of lavender spit out from oil diffusers placed strategically throughout the venue.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
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.
