wiper

American  

[wahy-per] / ˈwaɪ pər /

noun

• wipers
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• wipers
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of wiper

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wiper wipers

It sounds impossible: Americans don’t buy more cars today than they did in 2007, and each one still has the same number of wiper blades and taillights.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 15, 2026

For instance, the Seagull has only one windshield wiper, eliminating one motor and one arm, saving on weight, cost and labor to install.

From Seattle Times ● May 12, 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

“Three hours after this thing was registered this morning, the wiper motor went. So I went by the hardware store and rigged this up. Watch.”

From "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Ford announced almost 2.4 million vehicle recalls in six actions, primarily for backup cameras and windshield wipers.

From Barron's ● Mar. 6, 2026

Electric ships, with simpler propulsion systems, would need less maintenance—meaning less work for wipers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 15, 2026

If windshield wipers are on, headlights should be on — it’s the law.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2025

First Brands sells billions of dollars worth of parts including oil filters and windshield wipers annually to customers such as Walmart.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2025

She didn’t push, and we drove home to the sound of the wipers wiping away the misty fog that was rolling along the ground.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

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