planer

American  

[pley-ner] / ˈpleɪ nər /

noun

1. Carpentry. a power machine for removing the rough or excess surface from a board.

2. Metalworking. a machine for cutting flat surfaces, having a cutting tool supported by an overhead frame beneath which the work slides back and forth.

3. Typesetting. a block of smooth, hard wood for leveling the type in a chase by tapping with a mallet.

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planer British  

/ ˈpleɪnə /

noun

1. a machine with a cutting tool that makes repeated horizontal strokes across the surface of a workpiece: used to cut flat surfaces into metal

2. a machine for planing wood, esp one in which the cutting blades are mounted on a rotating drum

3. printing a flat piece of wood used to level type in a chase

4. any person or thing that planes

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Etymology

Origin of planer

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at plane ², -er ¹

Example Sentences

At minimum, you’d need a table saw, which allows you to cut wood to width, as well as a planer and jointer, used to create smooth, even surfaces on wood.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 5, 2024

Hillan said Shed 17, which shared a wall with the planer building, was made of cement but was housed in an old wooden frame.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2023

Next, remove any excess wax on the exterior with a cheese planer or knife.

From Salon • Nov. 5, 2022

He says recent upgrades to the hydro's capacity have enabled the community to invest in an electric sawmill, an electric timber-drying kiln and an electric planer.

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2022

Work that stands high up from the planer table may be very effectively steadied in this way, enabling heavier cuts and coarser feeds while producing smoother work.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua