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defroster

noun

de·​frost·​er di-ˈfrȯ-stər How to pronounce defroster (audio)
ˈdē-ˌfrȯ-
plural defrosters
: a person or thing that defrosts something
She was a cook. I was an opener of cans, a defroster of TV dinners.Bernie Schiffer
especially : a device or system designed to heat a window or windshield of a vehicle for the purpose of removing accumulated ice or moisture
The rear window defroster worked well in the center, but it needs more grid lines for full coverage. Consumer Reports
Their breath fogged the windshield immediately, and Gus slowed to a crawl on the winding street, reaching down to adjust the wipers and the defroster. Frank Conroy

Examples of defroster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Drivers should keep all car windows clear by using a window scraper to remove ice and turning on the windshield wipers and defrosters, even when traveling short distances, according to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 3 Dec. 2025 Ensure that the heater and defroster work properly. Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 21 Nov. 2025 But there’s still a lot to make heat pumps better–closing up leaks in heat exchangers, controlling the speed of compressors, setting up defrosters to only defrost when needed, and even testing out how placing thermostats and other equipment in the home can impact a heat pump’s efficiency. Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025 The defroster and defogger system shuts off during certain HVAC system faults, such as electrical compressor failure, due to the programming of the HVAC and ECU software, according to the recall report. James Powel, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defroster

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defroster was in 1903

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Cite this Entry

“Defroster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defroster. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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