dozer
1 Americannoun
noun
noun
Usage
What does dozer mean? Dozer is commonly used as a short form of the word bulldozer, a large tractor that has a big, blade-like shovel at the front and moves around using metal tracks over wheels. They’re typically used to move earth and clear debris from an area.Less commonly, bulldozer can also mean a person who intentionally tries to intimidate others. In fact, this was its original use, first recorded in the 1870s.The verb bulldoze comes from around the same time. Today, bulldoze typically means to use a bulldozer, such as to move dirt or clear an area, or, more figuratively, to move forward or advance in an aggressive or forceful way.However, bulldoze originally meant to intimidate, such as with threats of violence. Early records of this use refer to violent attacks, especially whipping, against African Americans by white people in the Southern United States. However, the origin of these words, and how bulldozer came to be a name for a type of tractor, is ultimately unclear.Unrelatedly, dozer is also an informal word for someone who dozes—falls asleep or sleeps for a short time, especially without trying to. This use of the word dozer precedes its use in bulldozer.
Etymology
Origin of dozer1
By shortening
Origin of dozer1
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.
“Heavy equipment crews are en route to assist with mop-up and the establishment of a bare-earth dozer lines around the perimeter, with full containment expected to require an extended operation into early evening.”
From Los Angeles Times
Fire and sheriff’s staff said there were about 1,200 personnel working on operations, with 140 engines, 34 dozers, 20 hand crews, 24 water tenders and 10 helicopters.
From Los Angeles Times
Forty-nine engines, five dozers, four water tenders and two helicopters were assigned to combat the blaze, according to Cal Fire.
From Los Angeles Times
Cal Fire confirmed a dozer line was created to help clear vegetation around the fire’s perimeter.
From Los Angeles Times
The Maria fire burned about 15 acres, and about 140 firefighters were involved in the battle, along with three helicopters and one dozer.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
