toaster

¹ American  

[toh-ster] / ˈtoʊ stər /

noun

1. an instrument or appliance for toasting bread, muffins, etc.

2. a person who toasts something.

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toaster ² American  

[toh-ster] / ˈtoʊ stər /

noun

1. a person who proposes or joins in a toast to someone or something.

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toaster British  

/ ˈtəʊstə /

noun

1. a device for toasting bread, usually electric, and often equipped with an automatic timer

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Etymology

Origin of toaster¹

First recorded in 1575–85; toast ¹ + -er ¹

Origin of toaster²

First recorded in 1695–1705; toast ² + -er ¹

Explanation

A toaster is a device in your kitchen that you use, surprisingly enough, to make toast. You can toast bread in an oven instead, but it's easier with a toaster. The pop-up toaster was invented in 1921, and those of us who prefer our bread warm and crispy are glad. Before the electric toasters we're familiar with (and their relatives, small plug-in toaster ovens), toast was made by putting bread slices inside long-handled metal frames and holding them over a fire. You can also use this noun to mean "person giving a toast," but this is less common.

Example Sentences

Plucky home qualifier Maddison Inglis plans to do a bit of shopping with her unexpected Australian Open windfall -- and a toaster and kettle top her wish list.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

Put that in your toaster and cook it.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025

Notre Dame officials have criticized college playoff organizers for bypassing their team, but they also indicated that in forgoing the bowl game, they weren’t trying to diss the toaster pastry.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 12, 2025

Lotus Two Slice Toaster – My trusty $20 toaster recently gave up the ghost, and I didn’t realize how much I’d been settling until I dropped a bagel into the Lotus two-slice.

From Salon • Nov. 20, 2025

She’s carrying a half-eaten toaster waffle wrapped in a paper towel.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison