What does lawnmower mean?
A lawnmower is a machine used to cut the grass of a lawn, typically with rotating blades driven by an engine or electric motor. The term is common in British, American, Australian, and other English-speaking varieties, and the word can be written as one compound, “lawnmower,” or as the open compound “lawn mower.” In everyday use it includes walk-behind machines pushed by a person and larger ride-on models, though some speakers treat those as separate types. Lawnmowers carry practical associations with garden maintenance, seasonal work, noise, and suburban domestic life. The word is useful in product descriptions, where the type and power source matter, and in ordinary conversation, where context may distinguish an electric, petrol, push, or ride-on machine. Etymologically, it combines the English noun “lawn” with “mower,” a noun formed from the verb “to mow.” The development of practical grass-cutting machines in the nineteenth century helped make the lawnmower a familiar feature of modern gardens.
nounA lawnmower is a machine, usually powered by an engine or electric motor, used to cut grass in a lawn.
- A machine for cutting the grass of a lawn.
"He mowed the grass with the lawnmower before the garden party."
"The neighbours complained that the lawnmower was making too much noise early in the morning."
"The petrol lawnmower has been replaced by a quieter electric model."
The standard plural adds -s and is used when referring to multiple machines.
"The garden centre sells electric and petrol lawnmowers."
The machine generally credited as the first practical lawnmower was patented by Edwin Budding in 1830, helping make carefully maintained lawns far less dependent on hand cutting.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lawnmower come from?
Lawnmower is an English compound that emerged in the nineteenth century from lawn and mower. Mower derives from Middle English mowe, ultimately from Old English mawan, meaning “to cut grass”; it is cognate with German mähen and Dutch maaien. The same Proto-Germanic root is associated with English meadow, while the compound lawnmower arose as powered grass-cutting machines became practical.
Related word forms
How lawnmower is actually used
The word is neutral and common in everyday speech. Both “lawnmower” and “lawn mower” are standard, with the choice of spelling often depending on house style.
Easily confused with lawnmower
A mower can refer more broadly to a machine for cutting grass or hay, whereas a lawnmower is specifically designed for cutting lawn grass.