riveter

American  

[ri-vi-ter] / ˈrɪ vɪ tər /

noun

1. a person whose job it is to fasten things by means of rivets, or metal pins.

   In building the hull of an iron ship, the work previously done by one man is now divided up among platers, riveters, drillers, and so forth.

2. a machine or tool designed to fasten things by means of rivets.

   I attached the rack with a pop riveter so that it can handle more weight than would be possible using the double-sided tape.

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Etymology

Origin of riveter

rivet ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

A person who installs industrial-strength metal fasteners on airplanes or ships is a riveter. Riveters use special tools to connect metal sheets with rivets, permanent bolt-like fasteners. Riveters helped build many iconic structures, including the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building's steel frame. Today, it's more common to weld metal pieces together in skyscrapers and bridges, but riveters still work on airplanes, ships, and more. The character called Rosie the Riveter was the symbol for millions of women who went to work during World War II.

Example Sentences

She learned long ago, holding a riveter in her hand, that limits don’t always apply and anyone can forge a path forward.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2023

And connected with Phyllis Gould and Mae Krier, who worked as a welder and a riveter, respectively, during the war.

From Washington Post • Jan. 16, 2023

He worked as a riveter for Boeing to help pay his way through UW School of Law, where he graduated in 1958.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 24, 2018

The “Rosie” behind that song is well known: Rosalind P. Walter, a Long Island woman who was a riveter on Corsair fighter planes and is now a philanthropist, most notably a benefactor of public television.

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2018

She was a welder, schoolteacher, riveter, farm worker, toxicologist’s assistant, and stenographer, all throughout the early and mid-1940s.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady