vending machine

plural vending machines · alternative dated vending-machine

1. An automatic machine that dispenses merchandise (often food or beverages) in return for payment (originally coins; now also often paper money, credit cards, and wirelessly via digital payment apps).

   Meronyms: bill acceptor, card swipe, change slot, coin return, coin slot, flavor strip

   2 more examples

   It is not clear to all operators of vending machines, though, that their future lies in dispensing meals, rather than snacks or candy.

   1992 September 9, Trish Hall, “Vending Machines, the Next Generation in Dining”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

   Passengers may find themselves in a catch-22 situation, unable to buy a ticket for any number of reasons, ranging from an out-of-order ticket vending machine to a lengthy queue to use one, and yet then fall foul of the penalty fare regime.

   2023 July 26, Christian Wolmar, “Closing ticket offices to lead to 'catch-22' for passengers”, in RAL, number 988, page 42

   Synonyms: slot machine