wiper

American  

[wahy-per] / ˈwaɪ pər /

noun

1. a person or thing that wipes.

2. the thing with which something is wiped, as a towel, handkerchief, or squeegee.

3. windshield wiper.

4. Electricity. the portion of a selector or other similar device that makes contact with the terminals of a bank.

5. Machinery. Also a projection or partial cam, as on a rotating shaft, moving to lift or dislodge another part, especially so as to let it drop when released.

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wiper British  

/ ˈwaɪpə /

noun

1. any piece of cloth, such as a handkerchief, towel, etc, used for wiping

2. a cam rotated to ease a part and allow it to fall under its own weight, as used in stamping machines, etc

3. See windscreen wiper

4. electrical engineering a movable conducting arm, esp one in a switching or selecting device, that makes contact with a row or ring of contacts

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Etymology

Origin of wiper

First recorded in 1545–50; wipe + -er ¹

Example Sentences

It lists more than 30 openings for the position of wiper.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

Owners also received a letter from the traffic safety agency within the same month that warned that the Cybertruck’s windshield wiper motor was failing.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2024

She was found when the van driver made a stop to top-up windscreen wiper fluid on Thursday, with Jasmine curled up next to the battery peering up at him.

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2024

I want to count wiper strokes combined with how much water is coming down and where it’s being driven and how dirty it is.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 3, 2023

A green and gold maple leaf was trapped under the windshield wiper.

From "Doing Time Online" by Jan Siebold