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🧺 A washing machine 🔩 A flat ring 🧑‍🔧 A laundry worker
washer

washer

14 1.0
A flat ring of metal, rubber, or plastic placed between parts to stop leaks and spread pressure
  • noun
  • /ˈwɔːʃər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : arandela
  • The faucet dripped; it needed a washer, but then, it always dripped.
  • washer and nut
  • bolts and washers
  • washers and gaskets

Examples

  • I need to replace the old washer on the faucet to stop the dripping.

  • I can use a screw with little washer in that slot that I cut.

  • Do you think you could help me change the washer on my shower?

    Soul Man (1986)

  • So we threw a plastic washer on there and we're doing a hard mount.

  • I can put a washer on a faucet.

    Baby Face Nelson (1957)

  • I have bought a faucet washer at the hardware store.

    Academic text (2010)

  • Next I'm going to place a single washer on each of these standoffs.

  • The Walmart frame comes with these washers that we have to adhere on there ourselves.

  • The bolts, anchors, and washers are cadmium plated or galvanized steel.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The technician recommended using a rubber washer to prevent leaks in the plumbing.

Compounds

window washer
  • US
6 1.8

A person who cleans the glass on windows of buildings

automatic washer
  • US
2.6

A machine that washes clothes and sheets by itself

lock washer
  • Specialized
5.1

A small metal ring that stops a nut from coming loose

washer-upper
  • UK
7.0

A person who washes dishes after a meal

How Protective

O-ring
  • Specialized
1 6.1
gasket
  • Specialized
26 5.5
washer
  • Specialized
14 1.0
lock washer
  • Specialized
5.1

Surface Forms

washer singular
washers plural

Morphology

washer = wash (opaque) = wash + er

Although morphologically 'wash' + '-er', the small flat disc meaning is not derivable from 'wash' for an average learner and reflects a separate specialized sense.

Etymology

Washer for the small flat disc comes from the same root wash meaning 'to clean' and the ending -er. A helpful way to remember it is to think of the disc as a thin plate that sits under a bolt to spread pressure and protect the parts, which is why a washer stops leaks and reduces vibration.