noun
washer
WO-shuh
noun
1
A machine that washes things, especially a washing machine or dishwasher.
"The washer finished its cycle just as we got home."
2
A thin, flat ring, usually metal or rubber, placed under a nut or bolt to spread pressure and stop leaks or loosening.
"Add a rubber washer to the tap to stop the drip."
"The bolt kept working loose until we fitted a washer."
How to Use Washer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a washing machine, or a small flat ring fitted under a bolt or nut.
Common pairings
a rubber washer
front-loading washer
washer and dryer
Word Forms
washered past tense, washers plural, washers plural, Washers plural, washers singular
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The _____ finished its cycle just as we got home.
Etymology
From Middle English wasshere, formed from wash plus the agent suffix -er.