vending machine

American  

noun

1. a coin-operated machine for selling small articles, beverages, etc.

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vending machine British  

noun

1. Also called: automat.  a machine that automatically dispenses consumer goods such as cigarettes, food, or petrol, when money is inserted

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Etymology

Origin of vending machine

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

They’d be in the cafetorium in the dark with the wind roaring outside, but safe, uninjured, with their bellies full from raiding the coolers and vending machines.

From Literature

With Anthropic, another major AI startup, you will stress-test the AI “agent” idea in the most journalistically responsible way possible: by putting a bot-powered vending machine in a newsroom.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I hadn't eaten, and the vending machine wasn't working, all those things including toilet facilities, the bright lights and the noise all impact on you especially if you aren't well," she said.

From BBC

She has written Page One WSJ features on nuclear pacemakers, a damaged model of the Queen Mary ocean liner and abandoned Redbox movie vending machines.

From The Wall Street Journal

Instead, he bought Twinkies and orange juice from a vending machine.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• vendor