typewriter

American  

[tahyp-rahy-ter] / ˈtaɪpˌraɪ tər /

noun

1. a machine for writing mechanically in letters and characters like those produced by printers' types.

2. Printing. a type style that gives the appearance of typewritten copy.

3. Older Use. a typist.

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typewriter British  

/ ˈtaɪpˌraɪtə /

noun

1. a keyboard machine for writing mechanically in characters resembling print. It may be operated entirely by hand ( manual typewriter ) or be powered by electricity ( electric typewriter )

2. printing a style of type resembling typescript

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Etymology

Origin of typewriter

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; type + writer

Explanation

A typewriter is an old-fashioned machine for printing letters, school assignments, and other written works. Each key on a typewriter prints a single letter, number, or symbol in ink on a piece of paper. There are similarities between a computer keyboard and a typewriter — you use both by pressing one key at a time. But instead of watching a cursor move across a screen as you type (moving backwards easily, automatically deleting mistakes), a typewriter makes a physical mark on paper. Instead of printing your letter out (or emailing it), when you use a typewriter, you create the final product as you go, simply pulling it out of the typewriter when you finish.

Example Sentences

The typewriter as a teaching tool in the age of AI.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Last year, Australian radio hosts Fifi, Fev and Nick claimed it was finished and that Styles wrote it entirely "on a typewriter" - although their sources seemed dubious, at best.

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2026

One chimpanzee with a typewriter could pound out the script for “Primate” in an hour.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

To further avoid detection in a society where any purchase could give you away, he used concentrated fruit juice to extend the life of his typewriter ribbons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

When forced to leave my house for an extended period of time, I take my typewriter with me, and together we endure the wretchedness of passing through the X-ray scanner.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris