digester

American  

[dih-jes-ter, dahy-] / dɪˈdʒɛs tər, daɪ- /

noun

1. a person or thing that digests.

2. Chemistry. Also digestor an apparatus in which substances are softened or disintegrated by moisture, heat, chemical action, or the like.

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digester British  

/ dɪˈdʒɛstə, daɪ- /

noun

1. chem an apparatus or vessel, such as an autoclave, in which digestion is carried out

2. a less common word for digestant

3. a person or thing that digests

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Etymology

Origin of digester

First recorded in 1570–80; digest + -er ¹

Example Sentences

And New York State requires large food businesses to donate excess edible food and recycle remaining scraps if they are within 25 miles of a composting facility or anaerobic digester.

From New York Times • Jun. 12, 2024

In 2016, a lightning strike ignited methane stored in a waste digester, operated by company Agrivert, at Benson, near Wallingford, causing a fire which burned for 20 minutes and destroyed the roof.

From BBC • Oct. 5, 2023

Jon Van Nieuwenhuyzen, Qualco Energy digester operator, board member and dairy farmer, explains that digesters are an important tool because they bring multiple wins for resources that connect us all.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 17, 2023

Greenleaf, Wisconsin, an unincorporated community less than 20 miles south of Green Bay, is now home to a massive digester facility.

From Salon • Nov. 5, 2022

Burning at first like a rick on fire, his enthusiasm for the digester as quickly died out.

From Against the Grain by Huysmans, J.-K. (Joris-Karl)