noun
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an electrically operated machine for washing, rinsing, and drying dishes, cutlery, etc
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a person who washes dishes, etc
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of dishwasher
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
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:
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
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
One robot tidied cupboards and wiped surfaces, while others put orange juice and milk in the fridge, threw away empty packaging and loaded the dishwasher.
From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026
Most decibel charts consider that moderate noise, somewhere between steady rainfall and a dishwasher.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
“If you let me help,” Bat said, bargaining now, “I’ll promise to scrape all the extra food off my plate from now on and put it in the dishwasher after dinner.”
From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold
Unite Here Local 11, the union which represents workers including dishwashers, concession workers, bartenders and servers and SoFi Stadium’s food-service operator Legends Global, came to a tentative agreement days before the first match.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026
They include steel, aluminum, clothing, smartphones and other electronics, fish, dishwashers, washing machines, and stoves.
From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026
If paint, lumber or dishwashers are 30% more expensive, fewer will be sold.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
Ovens, hobs, tumble dryers, washing machines and dishwashers can all make indoor spaces warmer.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026
Just as quickly, the waiters, cooks, salad master, souffle maker and dishwashers skidded to a halt.
From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer
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