typewriter

noun

type·​writ·​er ˈtīp-ˌrī-tər How to pronounce typewriter (audio)
1
: a machine for writing in characters similar to those produced by printer's type by means of keyboard-operated types striking a ribbon to transfer ink or carbon impressions onto the paper
2
: typist

Examples of typewriter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Or how Russian security services have reportedly reverted to using typewriters to prevent spying. Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2024 Norton remembers banging away on his dad’s Smith Corona typewriter in the den. Cynthia Billhartz Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2024 Dauberman moved from behind the typewriter to behind the camera, making his directorial debut with Annabelle Comes Home, and has served in a producer capacity of many of those titles, as well as DC streaming series Swamp Thing. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Dec. 2023 These incredible-looking keyboards have all the allure of an old manual typewriter but with definite steampunk vibes that set it apart from most other wireless keyboards on the market. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 Hence the emergence of typewriters, adding machines, and cash registers. IEEE Spectrum, 13 Feb. 2024 As typewriters once symbolized the writer, slide rules symbolized the engineer. Alex Traub, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2024 Copywriters now use a laptop instead of a typewriter; designers rely on Adobe Photoshop instead of a pen and paper; and a plethora of IT roles were created along the way. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2024 This use of technology was revolutionary and cutting age at a time when typewriters were still ubiquitous, fax machines had only recently entered the workplace, and computers were rare and expensive. TIME, 5 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'typewriter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of typewriter was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near typewriter

Cite this Entry

“Typewriter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/typewriter. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

typewriter

noun
type·​writ·​er ˈtī-ˌprīt-ər How to pronounce typewriter (audio)
: a machine that prints letters or figures when a person pushes its keys down

More from Merriam-Webster on typewriter

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