sewing machine

American

noun

any of various foot-operated or electric machines for sewing or making stitches, ranging from machines with a shuttle for a spool of thread and a needle for sewing garments to industrial machines for sewing leather, book pages together, etc.

sewing machine British

noun

any machine designed to sew material. It is now usually driven by electric motor but is sometimes operated by a foot treadle or by hand

"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 sewing machine

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

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.

Karen’s Bernina sewing machine was struggling, so I disassembled the motor and turned down the commutator on the lathe.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

Demonstrating her new skills, she guided material through her sewing machine to create delicate silk leaves and flowers.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

Amanda says she feels like "a new woman" now that she can cut material and use her sewing machine again.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

“I do like pillows,” Hamilton says, noting that he recently bought a sewing machine so he can make his own soft furnishings.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 10, 2025

On Jackie’s last day in Colby, she and Bertha sat together at the sewing machine in my room and talked about boys and clothes and movie stars while they worked on a zipper.

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023