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

Michael Fraede is co-founder of German firm Robotextile, which makes gripper devices that enable robots to deftly pick up pieces of fabric.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

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

The findings have great potential for industrial applications, such as providing a next-generation robotic gripper for grasping a variety of irregular objects.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 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