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

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

She had initially invested in a 3D printer, which can cost about $200, to create merch for her website, but she says some people in the movement bought their first printers just for whistles.

From Slate • Jan. 31, 2026

It didn’t even look like McCoy had a computer, much less a printer.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia

Related Words

• laser printer