printer

American  

[prin-ter] / ˈprɪn tər /

noun

1. a person or thing that prints, especially a person whose occupation is printing. printing.

2. Computers. an output device that produces a paper copy of alphanumeric or graphic data.

3. an instrument that automatically records telegraphic messages by means of a printing printing mechanism activated by incoming signals.

4. Movies. a photographic machine through which either the negative or positive of a master print can be run, together with unexposed film, to make a duplicate.

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printer British  

/ ˈprɪntə /

noun

1. a person or business engaged in printing

2. a machine or device that prints

3. computing an output device for printing results on paper

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Other Word Forms

• printerlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of printer

First recorded in 1495–1505; print + -er ¹

Example Sentences

"He is very engineering minded," Daily explains, "so, we recently invested a few hundred dollars to get him a 3D printer."

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Personal-system unit sales rose 12%, while sales of printer units fell 6%.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

Mark Myshatyn uses his 3-D printer to create things he needs around the home, such as a light diffuser for photography.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

She had initially invested in a 3D printer, which can cost about $200, to create merch for her website, but she says some people in the movement bought their first printers just for whistles.

From Slate • Jan. 31, 2026

Big signs made with colored markers and printer paper taped together.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

Related Words

• laser printer