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rowing machine

American  
[roh-ing] / ˈroʊ ɪŋ /

noun

  1. an exercise machine having a mechanism with two oarlike handles, foot braces, and a sliding seat, allowing the user to go through the motions of rowing in a racing shell.


rowing machine British  

noun

  1. a device with oars and a sliding seat resembling a sculling boat, used to provide exercise

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of rowing machine

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Also found on this level is a gym space, with a pilates machine and a rowing machine, as well as several sets of weights.

From MarketWatch Jun. 4, 2026

I have a rowing machine next to my desk, so when I’m writing, I just get out of the chair, do some rowing, and then I continue.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 16, 2026

He also has a fitness room with weights, treadmill and a rowing machine, while three parakeets fly around the complex.

From Seattle Times Jan. 6, 2024

The women rowed on a rowing machine three to four times a week, lifted twice a week and cross-trained in between for a total of 10 to 20 weekly hours.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 28, 2022

He did, however, come across an old discarded rowing machine of Mr. Little’s, and becoming interested in this, carried it upstairs with some difficulty and spent the rest of the morning rowing.

From "Stuart Little" by E.B. White

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