dispenser

[ dih-spen-ser ]

noun

1. a person or thing that dispenses.
2. a container, package, device, or vending machine for holding and dispensing something in small amounts, as facial tissue, paper cups, or candy.

dispenser

/ dɪˈspɛnsə /

noun

1. a device, such as a vending machine, that automatically dispenses a single item or a measured quantity
2. a person or thing that dispenses

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispenser¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; dispense, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Banda, who could be used as an opener in front of Knack, recovered from an embarrassing left-hand fracture — incurred when he struck a paper-towel dispenser with the back of his closed fist in frustration on Sept. 9 — to retire all seven batters he faced in two late-September outings after being activated.

From Los Angeles Times

In the hour before a recent game, Freedman and I were chatting next to a ketchup dispenser.

From Los Angeles Times

"There is no logic to it except the communal logic of collective punishment and the authority acting as the populist dispenser of tough vigilante justice," said Asim Ali, a political scientist.

From BBC

One time she thought an earthquake may have happened after seeing a strange ripple in the tank of her 5-gallon water dispenser.

From Los Angeles Times

“This is maybe a weird example, but public bathrooms are not a nightmare. You can go to the toilet and the hand soap dispenser will actually work,” she said.

From New York Times

Related Words

• banker
• merchant
• retailer
• trader
• trafficker
• vendor
• wholesaler