typewriter

American  

[tahyp-rahy-ter] / ˈtaɪpˌraɪ tər /

noun

typewriters plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• typewriters
  plural

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

See Examples For:

typewriter typewriters

The court heard the accompanying paperwork had been typed using a typewriter on paper embossed with an antiques dealers' logo – and even a nine-pence stamp.

From BBC ● May 22, 2026

She also turned what used to be a gun closet into a “vault” filled with family heirlooms, including a typewriter, perfume, photos, jewelry and a flask.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 1, 2026

“If she made a mistake, she yanked the page out of the typewriter and she started over,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 2026

I’ll come back from school and find her at the typewriter in Papi’s study.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez

By then, standard-issue electric typewriters and six-ply carbon paper had been replaced by far less visually interesting computers.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

And even though they’re on deadline, they’re afforded ample time to collect data and conduct interviews before returning to their typewriters.

From Salon ● Mar. 7, 2026

By the early 20th century, typewriters and telephones were standard office equipment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 28, 2025

Videos on Swift’s social media accounts, showing antique typewriters and globes with pins, were dissected for clues about her music.

From New York Times ● Apr. 19, 2024

She didn’t care about the science lab or the math classes or the typewriters.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez