spacer

noun

spac·​er ˈspā-sər 

plural spacers

: a device or piece used to create or maintain a desired amount of space (as between two parts)

As long as your joints look even, it's more important that you avoid a large grout line at the last tile than worry about sticking to the exact measurement of the spacer.

—Jennifer Stimpson

Stiff spacers of low-expansion materials … may be used to provide a fixed spacing between the end mirrors.

—Arthur L. Schawlow

Use wood shims or spacers where necessary to compensate for wavy ceilings and to make certain the bottom surfaces of all strips are flush.

—Bernard Gladstone

Examples of spacer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the Heat do not necessarily run a five-out offense, spacing is essential in their sets, with the more spacers the better. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026

Toe spacers either fit over 1-2 toes or separate all 5 toes to relieve tendons, ligaments and tight muscles. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

Its subtle structure elevates it beyond a standard zip-up, featuring a sporty mock neck, light-as-air feel, and spacer fabric made to move with you. —Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2025

And that was with 5 mm volume spacers under my feet! —Sergei Poljak, Outside, 16 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spacer

• acer
• baser
• chaser
• pacer
• racer
• tracer
• eraser
• replacer
• radiotracer

Medical Definition

spacer

noun

spac·​er ˈspā-sər 

: a region of chromosomal DNA between genes that is not transcribed into messenger RNA and is of uncertain function