lathe

1 of 2

noun

: a machine in which work is rotated about a horizontal axis and shaped by a fixed tool

lathe

2 of 2

verb

lathed; lathing

transitive verb

: to cut or shape with a lathe

Examples of lathe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The young couple married on New Year’s Eve in 1950 and raised their two children in Decatur, where Tuttle worked for A.W. Cash Co. running a turret lathe and other machines. Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2024 To collect grain or operate a lathe was to strike a hammer blow at world imperialism. Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2017 My engineering manager, Shawn, started off in a shop on a lathe at age eighteen and had three kids. John Gardner, Fortune, 23 July 2024 While the structure had been empty for years, timber and lathe were all the fire needed to hollow out the building, which Heggstrom said lacked modern fire-suppression capabilities and fire alarms. Vincent Medina, Sacramento Bee, 16 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for lathe 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from Middle English lath supporting stand

First Known Use

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lathe was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near lathe

Cite this Entry

“Lathe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lathe. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

lathe

noun
ˈlāt͟h
: a machine in which a piece of material is held and turned while being shaped by a tool

More from Merriam-Webster on lathe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!