dishwasher

American  

[dish-wosh-er, -waw-sher] / ˈdɪʃˌwɒʃ ər, -ˌwɔ ʃər /

noun

• dishwashers
  plural

1. a person who washes dishes.

2. a machine for washing dishes, kitchen utensils, etc., automatically.

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dishwasher British  

/ ˈdɪʃˌwɒʃə /

noun

1. an electrically operated machine for washing, rinsing, and drying dishes, cutlery, etc

2. a person who washes dishes, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• dishwashers
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of dishwasher

First recorded in 1520–30; dish + washer

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Explanation

If you work as a dishwasher, your job involves cleaning the glasses, plates, bowls, and silverware at a restaurant or cafe. You're also a dishwasher if you volunteer to wash the dishes after dinner at home. Some dishwashers scrub pots, pans, and dishes by hand, while others simply load up the other kind of dishwasher — a machine that automatically cleans dishes. While a human dishwasher has to scrub to get the dishes clean, a mechanical dishwasher sprays extremely hot water to do the same job. This new and improved type of dishwasher was invented in the late 19th century.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dishwasher dishwashers

When I asked if the robots could load the dishwasher, for example, Pinkerton said yes, but caveated that they’ve broken a dish before while working with a customer who agreed to the risk.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

Frank G. Brotz’s Kohler Electric Sink, which incorporated a motorized dishwasher into the familiar basin, promised release from the “thrice-daily drudgery” of washing dishes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

I’ve repaired our fridge, dishwasher, vacuum, toaster, sewing machine and bikes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

The dishwasher camera does raise the question of how this will all change consumer behavior—specifically, our tolerance to the uncomfortable, and our willingness to retain agency, perhaps at the expense of being left behind.

From Slate ● Sep. 14, 2026

The only upside was that my mom stopped making me empty the dishwasher and dust the baseboards.

From "I Will Always Write Back" by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda

They include steel, aluminum, clothing, smartphones and other electronics, fish, dishwashers, washing machines, and stoves.

From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026

Ovens, hobs, tumble dryers, washing machines and dishwashers can all make indoor spaces warmer.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

Running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

Legends’ most recent proposal calls for wage freezes for some workers and a 25-cent hourly increase for cooks and dishwashers, the union said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026

I learn that he is not paid by Jerry’s but by the “agent” who shipped him over—$5 an hour, with the agent getting the dollar or so difference between that and what Jerry’s pays dishwashers.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich

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