What does mincer mean?
A mincer is a kitchen machine, especially one used in a butcher's shop or commercial food-processing kitchen, that cuts meat into small pieces. Its internal blade and screw or feed mechanism force meat through an opening, producing mince. In British and Irish English, “mincer” is the familiar name for this appliance; North American speakers more often call it a meat grinder. Although the word can occasionally refer more broadly to the cutting or mincing mechanism, its principal sense identifies the complete machine. The term comes from “mince,” meaning finely chopped food, with the suffix “-er” indicating an instrument or device. In everyday descriptions, phrases such as “electric mincer” and “pass it through the mincer” clearly distinguish the machine from the action of mincing and from the minced food itself.
nounA machine with a rotating blade and a screw or feed mechanism for cutting meat into small pieces. The term is also used more generally for a mincing machine.
- A device or machine for cutting meat into small pieces.
"She passed the beef through the mincer before adding it to the Bolognese sauce."
"The butcher used a mincer to prepare the meat for the sausages."
"Always unplug the mincer before cleaning or changing its attachments."
Used when referring to more than one mincing machine.
"The restaurant has two mincers in its preparation area."
In British English, the everyday machine for turning meat into mince is simply “the mincer,” a name built transparently from “mince” and the agent suffix “-er.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mincer come from?
The word was formed in English by adding the agent or instrument suffix “-er” to “mince.” “Mince” entered Middle English from Old French mincer and ultimately derives from a Latin lineage associated with minuere, “to make smaller” or “diminish.” The same broad Latin root also connects words such as “minuscule” and “minuend,” although the mincer itself is an English mechanical derivative.
Related word forms
How mincer is actually used
The word is common in British and Irish English. In North American English, “meat grinder” is the usual term, although “mincer” is understood. It normally refers to the machine rather than to the blade or cutting mechanism alone.
Easily confused with mincer
A mincer is a machine that cuts food into small pieces, whereas a miser is a person who hoards money.