printer

American  

[prin-ter] / ˈprɪn tər /

noun

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

Example Sentences

More likely they were mistakes from the manuscript Dunlap was working from that the printer later corrected.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Under the Representation of the People Act 1983, election material must include the name and address of those promoted by the document, the promoter, and the printer.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

Clem has been buying them in bulk on the internet, accepting donated whistles from friends, and making his with a 3D printer.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2026

After hearing one of Lander’s orations, she arranged for the distribution of his autobiography; the printer had previously put out a line of Shakespeare’s tragedies.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead

Related Words

• laser printer