gripper

American  

[grip-er] / ˈgrɪp ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that grips.

2. Printing. (in certain presses) one of a number of fingerlike devices for gripping a sheet and transferring it to or from the printing surface.

3. Metalworking. Usually a device on a drawbench for drawing the work through the die.

---

Etymology

Origin of gripper

First recorded in 1560–70; grip + -er ¹

Example Sentences

His company produces a $5,000 robot that has two arms, one of which typically is equipped with a tool, the other with a two-digit gripper that holds an object in place.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 25, 2025

Alan Aaronson, 71, flexed his fingers — he was getting a cramp from his gripper.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 2, 2025

However, Sidony says her flooring was never inspected, and has shown the BBC her end of tenancy agreement which instructed her to remove carpets, underlay, gripper rods and laminate flooring.

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2024

This can be effective when the robot's moving parts are consistent and well-defined, like a gripper with three fingers.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2024

A monkey can run amazingly fast, it can jump long distances, and it uses its tail as a gripper or a hook.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston