lathe

American  

[leyth] / leɪð /

noun

1. a machine for use in working wood, metal, etc., that holds the material and rotates it about a horizontal axis against a tool that shapes it.

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verb (used with object)

lathed, lathing

1. to cut, shape, or otherwise treat on a lathe.

lathe ¹ British  

/ leɪð /

noun

1. a machine for shaping, boring, facing, or cutting a screw thread in metal, wood, etc, in which the workpiece is turned about a horizontal axis against a fixed tool

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verb

1. (tr) to shape, bore, or cut a screw thread in or on (a workpiece) on a lathe

lathe ² British  

/ leɪð /

noun

1. history any of the former administrative divisions of Kent

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Etymology

Origin of lathe

1300–50; Middle English: frame, stand, lathe; compare Old Norse hlath stack ( lade ), Danish -lad in væverlad weaver's batten, savelad saw bench

Example Sentences

A farmer who owned a Model T didn’t need a forge or metal lathe to fix his engine; he could simply order a replacement part—or cannibalize one from a wrecked car in a junkyard.

From The Wall Street Journal

The military released what it said was drone footage from inside the tunnel, which showed several rooms, a bathroom, rocket casings and a lathe.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bob chats against the buzzing backdrop of whirring industrial tools and woodwork machines in the next room - a laser cutter, bandsaw, lathe and a 3D printer among them.

From BBC

Customers in Uganda want more tools and equipment, including lathes and water pumps.

From Seattle Times

To do the work, the team used a large lathe to spin a detached brake rotor and caliper.

From Science Daily

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