printer

American  

[prin-ter] / ˈprɪn tər /

noun

• printers
  plural

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.

---

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

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• printerlike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• printers
  plural

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

See Examples For:

printer printers

Powers also responded to surveillance concerns by clarifying that his company’s software only blocks the printer from making prohibited parts — it doesn’t flag them to authorities or log users’ intellectual property.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026

So spontaneously that it had not even been printed out, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had to scramble to source a printer from within the grand palace.

From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026

Even the most extreme money printer is likely to concede that something which cannot continue forever, won’t.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 9, 2026

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

And I bet you think I’m kidding, but guess who overcame “sickness” and showed up at work just to use the color printer.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

The technique has only survived through private collectors and artisan printers like Nick Hand, who runs the Department of Small Works in Bristol.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

If the bill passes, the state’s Department of Justice would publish a roster of compliant printers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026

Not all journalistic powerhouses began their careers as printers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

The printers, the bookshops, the guesthouses and taverns, they followed.

From Salon ● Jun. 23, 2026

I am fortunate Mother comes from a family of book printers and has taught me to read and write in Hebrew and Spanish.

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar

Related Words

• laser printer