washing machine

American  

noun

• washing machines
  plural

1. an apparatus, especially a household appliance, for washing clothing, linens, etc.

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washing machine British  

noun

1. a mechanical apparatus, usually powered by electricity, for washing clothing, linens, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• washing machines
  plural

Etymology

Origin of washing machine

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

washing machine

While fixing the plastic connectors on his washing machine struts, which are like suspension rods for the appliance, he first printed a test part and then made adjustments before printing the rest.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

"The money they have each month coming in is what's going out so once something goes wrong – be it the car, the washing machine – it just tips them over," she said.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

The worker uncurls its claw-like fingers, daintily grips the basket by its edges and walks it over to a conveyor that will send it through an industrial washing machine.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 15, 2026

The researchers conjectured that because washers and dryers are typically sold as pairs, retailers may have simply spread the washing machine cost increase between the two products to keep their prices similar.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2026

One weekend, the washing machine is occupied because Sonia is in the process of dyeing the vast majority of her clothing black.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri