printer

American  

[prin-ter] / ˈprɪn tər /

noun

1. a person or thing that prints, especially a person whose occupation is printing.

2. Computers. an output device that produces a paper copy of alphanumeric or graphic data.

3. an instrument that automatically records telegraphic messages by means of a printing mechanism activated by incoming signals.

4. Movies. a photographic machine through which either the negative or positive of a master print can be run, together with unexposed film, to make a duplicate.

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printer British  

/ ˈprɪntə /

noun

1. a person or business engaged in printing

2. a machine or device that prints

3. computing an output device for printing results on paper

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Other Word Forms

• printerlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of printer

First recorded in 1495–1505; print + -er ¹

Explanation

A printer might be a person whose job is to make copies of printed material, or a machine that’s hooked up to a computer and prints on paper. With a 3D printer, you can even “print” a spatula! A 3D printer creates a replica of an image sent to it from a computer, whether it’s a car part or a spatula. Most people have the regular kind of printer, though, that they use to print things like essays or articles. Or, you might hire a printer to make your wedding invitations. The original printers, circa 1500, were people who operated a moveable type printing press (invented in 1450), printing books and other texts in small quantities.

Example Sentences

Lores was on PayPal’s board for nearly five years and came from computer and printer maker HP, where he served as chief executive.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

"Once you're in, viral AI-generated content is basically a money printer," he says.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Personal-system unit sales rose 12%, while sales of printer units fell 6%.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

Mark Myshatyn uses his 3-D printer to create things he needs around the home, such as a light diffuser for photography.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

Unlike the majority of the audience, Monroe believed the poem to be rather a brilliant work, so much so that she had hired a printer to produce five thousand copies for sale to the public.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• laser printer