lawnmower
nounUK /ˈlɔːn.məʊ.ə/ · US /ˈlɔn.moʊ.ɚ/
Etymology From lawn + mower.
1
A device used for cutting grass to a chosen height, typically of landscaped lawns of residences or institutions.
- We replaced our old electric lawnmower with a new cordless one.
- It is only a small school, but this year the committee has expended £105 in reforming the garden, painting the fences, making a tennis court and lawn, purchasing a lawnmower etc.1877, Queensland Department of Public Instruction, Report of the Secretary for Public Instruction:
2 more examples
- here was an ordinary man out of the city directory that subscribes for magazines and pushes the lawnmower in his shirt-sleeves of evenings.1912, O. Henry, Rolling Stones:
- Silence reigned, broken only by the hideous screeching of vultures and the sound of a lawn-mower being used in the hospital grounds.1936, F.J. Thwaites, The Redemption, Sydney: H. John Edwards Publishing, published 1940, page 58:
2
A person who landscapes and in particular mows lawns.
- We hired a third lawnmower for the spring and summer.
3
A dance move in which the dancer mimics using a petrol lawn mower by pulling the starter cord and then pushing the mower forwards to the beat of the music.
Preceded by definite article
- Derived terms
- riding lawnmower
- Hyponyms
- rotary mower, reel mower, push mower, riding mower, electric lawn mower, robotic lawn mower