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

Etymology

Origin of wiper

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wiper wipers

A car has around 75, in engines, braking systems and even windshield wiper motors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 2, 2026

On Wednesday it was reported that an Iranian-linked hacking group, Handala, had hit medical technology firm Stryker with a so-called wiper malware attack.

From BBC ● Mar. 11, 2026

Keep everything from the road-scanning camera on the front bumper—which allows the adaptive suspension dampers to respond to the road predictively—to the hidden hatch button in the rear wiper.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2025

They should also check and replace worn wiper blades, while locating packed-away umbrellas and rain gear.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2023

The wiper blades, on a slow speed, gently pulled me out of my thoughts and into the car.

From "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher

NatureScot said it was not known why parrots, and other birds, eat or dismantle windscreen wipers.

From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026

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

From Barron's ● Mar. 6, 2026

It will keep operating the remaining businesses, including those that make filters, wipers, pumps, lighting and other accessories as it seeks buyers, the company said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 26, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2025

It’s beginning to sprinkle, so Maxine turns the wipers on the lowest speed and I watch the water disappear and come back again.

From "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson