What does shredder mean?
A shredder is a device that cuts paper, food, or other material into narrow strips or small pieces. It is most commonly associated with disposing of confidential documents: placing a document in a paper or document shredder makes its contents difficult to reassemble, while many modern models also separate the shredded material for recycling. The word can also refer to a kitchen appliance used to grate cheese or other ingredients. Less formally, a “shredder” may be a person who angrily attacks someone in speech or physical confrontation, especially a forceful interviewer or performer. Although document shredders are sometimes treated as a safeguard in offices, they do not guarantee perfect confidentiality and may be subject to workplace or regulatory requirements. In ordinary use, the term most clearly denotes a machine designed to reduce material to strips or fragments, with the metaphorical human sense adding a vivid impression of relentless verbal aggression.
nounA machine or device that cuts material, especially paper, into narrow strips or small pieces. By extension, it can mean a person or tool that destroys information, documents, or other material in this way.
- A machine that cuts paper or another material into strips or small pieces.
- A device that reduces food or other material into fine fragments.
- A person who destroys documents or information by cutting them into pieces.
- Informally, an aggressive person who attacks someone verbally or physically.
"She fed the confidential documents into the office shredder before recycling them."
"The office has a paper shredder beside the recycling bins."
"Use the cheese shredder for the grated topping."
"The investigator fed the disputed records into a shredder."
Used when referring to multiple shredding devices or, informally, multiple aggressive people.
"The office installed two shredders near the entrance."
Before recycling a confidential document, the shredder turns secrecy into narrow strips.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shredder come from?
The word was formed in English by adding the agent suffix “-er” to “shred,” a verb attested in Middle English for cutting or tearing something into pieces. The precise early origin of “shred” is uncertain, although it belongs to a Germanic word family associated with tearing or cutting. The compound “shredder” developed as a name for an instrument or person that shreds.
Related word forms
How shredder is actually used
The machine sense is standard in British and American English. The informal sense for a highly aggressive person is chiefly colloquial and generally understood in speech, though it is unsuitable for formal writing.
Easily confused with shredder
A shredder is the machine that performs the cutting, whereas a shred is the strip or piece produced.