vending machine

noun

: a coin-operated machine for selling merchandise

Examples of vending machine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The technology alienated some shoppers, who were put off by entry gates or the feeling that Amazon had turned a visit to the grocery store into a high-tech vending machine. Matt Day, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024 In a very particular corner of Portland, Ore., there is a dive bar whose vending machine dispenses tarot cards and a dessert joint with a white-water kayak in its bathroom. Callie Holtermann, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Without the need for a prescription, anyone can buy the sprays at pharmacies, in grocery stores and even in vending machines. Jen Christensen, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 One-way, one-day, seven-day, and round-trip tickets can be purchased through the self-service ticket vending machines at the stations or via the CATS-Pass app. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2024 Purchase at vending machines at rail stations, on board the bus or at a retail location. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 The Suitland resident made a stop at a lottery vending machine at a Giant Food grocery store in District Heights on Feb. 23, according to a Feb. 27 Maryland Lottery news release. Makiya Seminera, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2024 The online marketplace sells used cars that customers can pick up in a giant vending machine Facebook Show more sharing options Back in the day, a silver quarter and the crank of a metal nob got you a gumball shooting down a spiral slide. Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024 Machines need to be restocked every day Oklahoma’s naloxone vending machine program launched in June. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vending machine.' 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

circa 1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vending machine was circa 1895

Dictionary Entries Near vending machine

Cite this Entry

“Vending machine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vending%20machine. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

vending machine

noun
: a machine from which one may get merchandise after putting in coins

More from Merriam-Webster on vending machine

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