printer
Americannoun
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a person or thing that prints, especially a person whose occupation is printing.
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Computers. an output device that produces a paper copy of alphanumeric or graphic data.
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an instrument that automatically records telegraphic messages by means of a printing mechanism activated by incoming signals.
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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.
noun
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a person or business engaged in printing
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a machine or device that prints
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computing an output device for printing results on paper
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of printer
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The printer and computer maker said it now expects a full-year profit between $2.15 and $2.45 a share.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026
As a Single-A manager, he was responsible for lugging a printer onto the team bus and restocking the ink so he could have scouting reports in the dugout.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
"He is very engineering minded," Daily explains, "so, we recently invested a few hundred dollars to get him a 3D printer."
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
He shows up with his computer and printer, takes care of all the stats, and most of all, they’re pretty accurate.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026
One has a digital camera in it, the other a mini photo printer.
From "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
