Understanding Printer: Definition, Types & Examples

Meaning 1：printing device (Printer)

Printer 🔊

/ˈprɪntər/

A machine that puts words or pictures from a computer onto paper.

White printer on desk printing colorful charts and text

printing device 🔊

➕

/ˈprɪntɪŋ dɪˈvaɪs/

A machine that puts words or pictures from a computer onto paper.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from 'print' (from Latin 'premere' to press) + agent suffix '-er', meaning one that prints.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'print' + 'er' → the device that does the printing job.

📖 Example

My report is finished, so I'll send it to the printer and bring you a copy. 🔊 My report is finished, so I'll send it to the printer and bring you a copy.

🔗 Collocations

laser printer – a printer that uses a laser beam to produce high-quality text and images

printer cartridge – the ink or toner container inside a printer

network printer – a printer connected to a computer network that multiple users can access

🔄 Synonyms

output device (n.) – any hardware component that conveys information to a user, such as a printer or monitor

printing press (n.) – a machine for printing text or images, historically larger and used in publishing

🌱 Derivatives

print (v.) – to produce text or images using a printer or printing press

printing (n.) – the process of producing printed material

printer-friendly (adj.) – designed to be easily printed without wasting ink or paper

📖 Cultural Story

The term dates back to the 1500s for a person who printed books. Since the 20th century, it primarily refers to the computer peripheral that reproduces text and images on paper.