lawnmower

plural lawnmowers · alternative lawn mower · alternative 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.

   3 more examples

   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

   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. preceded by definite articleA 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.