dishwasher
A dishwasher is a machine that cleans your dirty plates and cups automatically.
Explanation at your level:
A dishwasher is a machine for your kitchen. It cleans plates and cups. You put dirty dishes inside. You add soap. Then you push a button. The machine cleans them with hot water. It is very useful for your home.
You use a dishwasher to wash your kitchen items automatically. Instead of washing by hand, you put your plates, glasses, and forks inside the machine. It uses hot water and soap to make them clean. It saves you a lot of time every day.
A dishwasher is an essential kitchen appliance that automates the cleaning of your tableware. By using high-pressure water jets and specialized detergent, it removes grease and food residue. Most people find it much more efficient than hand-washing, especially after a large meal with family or friends.
The dishwasher has become a standard feature in modern kitchens, significantly reducing the labor associated with food preparation and cleanup. Beyond just washing, many models now include drying cycles and sanitization features. It is a classic example of how technology has simplified daily domestic chores, allowing people to focus on other activities.
The invention of the dishwasher represents a pivotal shift in domestic labor history. By mechanizing a previously manual and time-consuming task, it allowed for greater efficiency in the household. Today, it is considered a baseline convenience in many cultures, though its usage involves specific etiquette, such as the debate over how to properly 'load' the racks for optimal water flow.
Etymologically, the term is a straightforward compound, yet it signifies a profound change in the sociological structure of the home. Historically, the burden of dishwashing fell disproportionately on women and domestic staff. The commercialization of the dishwasher in the mid-20th century helped democratize leisure time. In contemporary usage, the term is ubiquitous, often serving as a benchmark for modern living standards and the automation of repetitive, non-creative labor.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A machine for washing dishes.
- Commonly found in modern kitchens.
- Uses hot water and detergent.
- Saves time and effort.
A dishwasher is one of the most helpful inventions in the modern home. Instead of standing at the sink scrubbing every single plate, you simply load your dirty items into the machine, add some soap, and let it do the hard work for you.
It works by spraying hot water and detergent at high pressure to blast away food. Once the cycle is finished, it often uses heat to dry everything, meaning you get clean, sanitized dishes without the effort of hand-washing.
The word is a simple compound of dish and washer. The concept of a mechanical dishwasher dates back to the 19th century. Joel Houghton patented a hand-powered device in 1850, but it wasn't very effective.
The first truly successful mechanical dishwasher was invented by Josephine Cochrane in 1886. She was a wealthy socialite who was tired of her servants breaking her fine china while washing it by hand. She famously said, 'If nobody else is going to invent a dishwashing machine, I'll do it myself!'
In casual conversation, we use the word frequently when discussing household chores. You might say, 'Can you load the dishwasher?' or 'The dishwasher is full.'
While it is a neutral term, it is used almost exclusively in domestic contexts. You wouldn't typically use it in a high-level academic paper unless you were specifically writing about appliance technology or domestic history.
While there aren't many fixed idioms containing the word, it often appears in metaphors about domestic life.
- 'The dishwasher is my best friend': Used to express relief at having a machine do a chore.
- 'Empty the dishwasher': Often used as a synonym for a boring but necessary chore.
- 'Dishwasher safe': A common label on kitchenware.
- 'Run the dishwasher': The standard phrase for starting a cycle.
- 'Load the dishwasher': The standard phrase for putting items inside.
The word dishwasher is a countable noun. The plural form is dishwashers. You usually use the definite article 'the' when referring to the one in your home (e.g., 'The dishwasher is broken').
Pronunciation: In British English, it is /ˈdɪʃˌwɒʃə/, and in American English, it is /ˈdɪʃˌwɑːʃər/. The stress is on the first syllable: DISH-washer.
Fun Fact
The first mechanical dishwasher was invented by a woman named Josephine Cochrane who wanted to protect her expensive china.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'o' sound in washer.
Long 'ah' sound in washer.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'sh' sound
- Stressing the wrong syllable
- Adding an extra sound to 'wash'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read.
Simple to spell.
Requires clear 'sh' sounds.
Very common word.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Compound Nouns
dish + washer = dishwasher
Countable Nouns
one dishwasher, two dishwashers
Definite Articles
the dishwasher
Examples by Level
The dishwasher is clean.
The machine is not dirty.
Simple subject-verb-adjective.
I use the dishwasher.
I operate the machine.
Subject-verb-object.
My dishwasher is new.
I just bought it.
Possessive adjective.
Is the dishwasher full?
Are there many dishes inside?
Question form.
The dishwasher is loud.
It makes a big noise.
Adjective describing a noun.
Open the dishwasher.
Pull the door open.
Imperative verb.
Empty the dishwasher.
Take the clean dishes out.
Imperative verb.
I like my dishwasher.
It is a good machine.
Verb of preference.
Please load the dishwasher.
The dishwasher isn't working.
I bought a quiet dishwasher.
Can you start the dishwasher?
The dishwasher uses a lot of water.
My dishes go in the dishwasher.
Don't put wood in the dishwasher.
The dishwasher cycle is finished.
I need to empty the dishwasher before I leave.
Is this bowl dishwasher safe?
The dishwasher is leaking on the floor.
We should run the dishwasher tonight.
I prefer the dishwasher to hand-washing.
The dishwasher broke down yesterday.
Modern dishwashers are very energy efficient.
She forgot to add the detergent to the dishwasher.
Loading the dishwasher is a chore I usually avoid.
We invested in a high-end dishwasher for our remodel.
The dishwasher has a quick-wash setting for light loads.
I find that stacking the dishwasher correctly is an art form.
The dishwasher is making a strange rattling noise.
Check the manual to see if the pan is dishwasher safe.
He complained that the dishwasher didn't clean the glasses well.
I'll put the plates in the dishwasher while you dry the pots.
The efficiency of the dishwasher has revolutionized domestic routines.
There is a perpetual debate in our house about the optimal way to load the dishwasher.
Despite its convenience, the dishwasher consumes significant electricity.
I mistakenly put a non-dishwasher safe item in the machine.
The dishwasher's rinse cycle was interrupted by a power surge.
She viewed the dishwasher as an indispensable tool for a busy professional.
The technician repaired the dishwasher's faulty pump.
It is surprising how much water a modern dishwasher saves compared to hand-washing.
The advent of the dishwasher serves as a testament to the mid-century drive for domestic automation.
One might argue that the dishwasher has become a symbol of modern middle-class convenience.
He meticulously arranged the cutlery in the dishwasher, adhering to his own strict organizational system.
The dishwasher's hum provided a constant, rhythmic background to our evening conversations.
While some prefer the tactile nature of hand-washing, the dishwasher offers an undeniable utility.
The machine’s failure left us contemplating the fragility of our modern, appliance-dependent lifestyle.
She found the process of unloading the dishwasher to be a meditative, if mundane, task.
The dishwasher is a ubiquitous fixture that we often take for granted until it ceases to function.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"dishwasher safe"
Can be washed in a machine without damage.
Check the bottom to see if it is dishwasher safe.
neutral"load the dishwasher"
To put dirty dishes into the machine.
It is your turn to load the dishwasher.
neutral"empty the dishwasher"
To take clean dishes out.
Can you empty the dishwasher before school?
neutral"run the dishwasher"
To turn it on.
I will run the dishwasher tonight.
neutral"dishwasher duty"
The chore of washing dishes.
I hate dishwasher duty.
casualEasily Confused
Both have 'washing' in the name.
Washing machine is for clothes; dishwasher is for dishes.
I put my clothes in the washing machine.
Both hold dishes.
A dish rack is for hand-washing.
I put the wet plates in the dish rack.
Both are for cleaning.
The sink is the basin; the dishwasher is the machine.
I washed the pan in the sink.
Both are machines.
A dryer is for clothes.
The dryer is hot.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + load + the + dishwasher
I load the dishwasher every night.
The + dishwasher + is + adjective
The dishwasher is broken.
Can + you + empty + the + dishwasher?
Can you empty the dishwasher?
I + need + to + run + the + dishwasher
I need to run the dishwasher now.
The + dishwasher + helps + with + chores
The dishwasher helps with household chores.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It is one word, not hyphenated.
You wash dishes, you clean the machine.
Dishwash is not a standard verb.
Machines 'run' a cycle.
A dish rack is for hand-washed dishes.
Tips
Break it down
Think of it as 'Dish' + 'Washer'.
Daily use
Use it to describe your chores.
Modern standard
It's a staple of modern living.
Pluralization
Just add 's'.
The 'sh' sound
Practice the 'sh' sound clearly.
Don't use 'wash' as a noun
It's a dishwasher, not a dishwash.
History
Invented by a woman!
Label it
Put a sticky note on your dishwasher.
Collocations
Always 'load' or 'empty'.
Articles
Use 'the' when talking about yours.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
DISH + WASHER = A machine that washes dishes.
Visual Association
Imagine a robot with sponges for hands standing in your kitchen.
Word Web
Challenge
Say 'dishwasher' five times fast!
Word Origin
English
Original meaning: A person or machine that washes dishes.
Cultural Context
None.
It is a standard appliance in almost every American and many British homes.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at home
- load the dishwasher
- empty the dishwasher
- is the dishwasher full?
buying an appliance
- is this dishwasher energy efficient?
- how big is the dishwasher?
- does it have a warranty?
cleaning chores
- my turn for the dishwasher
- the dishwasher is finished
- don't forget the dishwasher
kitchen design
- built-in dishwasher
- under-counter dishwasher
- stainless steel dishwasher
Conversation Starters
"Do you have a dishwasher at home?"
"Do you prefer hand-washing or using a dishwasher?"
"Who usually empties the dishwasher in your house?"
"What is the most annoying thing about the dishwasher?"
"Do you think dishwashers save water?"
Journal Prompts
Describe your kitchen and the appliances in it.
Write about a chore you dislike and why.
If you could invent a new household machine, what would it do?
How has technology changed the way we do housework?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, dishwasher is one word.
No, that is what a washing machine is for.
Every few months to remove buildup.
It means the item won't break in the machine.
Modern ones are quite efficient.
Usually just scrape off large food pieces.
No, wood can warp in the heat.
Only use soap specifically for dishwashers.
Test Yourself
I put my dirty plates in the ___.
You put dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
What does a dishwasher do?
It cleans dishes.
A dishwasher is always dishwasher safe.
Only items can be dishwasher safe; the machine itself is not.
Word
Meaning
Common verbs for the dishwasher.
Standard sentence structure.
Score: /5
Summary
The dishwasher is a time-saving machine that cleans your dishes so you don't have to!
- A machine for washing dishes.
- Commonly found in modern kitchens.
- Uses hot water and detergent.
- Saves time and effort.
Break it down
Think of it as 'Dish' + 'Washer'.
Daily use
Use it to describe your chores.
Modern standard
It's a staple of modern living.
Pluralization
Just add 's'.
Example
Can you please put your dirty plate in the dishwasher?
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