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Synonyms

vending machine

American  

noun

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


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

"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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of vending machine

First recorded in 1905–10

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.

One reader uses an insulated lunch bag with reusable ice packs, along with sodas, so she doesn’t have to pay vending machine prices.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 7, 2026

At the Hyatt Centric Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a kind front-desk manager gave me a token for the champagne vending machine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

The joke on social media was that Salah collects player of the match awards like you would get them out of a vending machine.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

He used Find My to locate the phone — at a vending machine for used electronics miles away, close to an ICE detention center.

From Salon • Jan. 14, 2026

“Not a lot of options at a vending machine on the 101,” my dad said.

From "Crenshaw" by Katherine Applegate

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