Dishwasher

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈdɪʃˌwɒʃə/

Definitions

1. A machine or person that cleans dishes and related tableware by removing food residue and grease using hot water and detergent
2. A device designed to automate the cleaning process of dishes, utensils, and cookware by spraying hot water and detergent to eliminate food particles and stains
3. An appliance intended for washing dinnerware, flatware, and kitchen tools through a cycle involving heated water and cleaning agents to ensure sanitation

Etymology: "Dishwasher" is a plain compound: "dish" joined to "washer," meaning a person or thing that washes. The word "washer" itself is a straightforward agent noun built on the verb "wash," which comes from Old English "wascan." Used for a machine, the word is much newer than its parts. Its meaning shifted from a human servant at the sink to a mechanical appliance, and the compound carried over unchanged. The sense of the word as a device is the one that dominates modern English.

Synonyms: appliance, machine