What does welder mean?
A welder is a person who joins metals, or sometimes other materials, by using heat and pressure to fuse the pieces together. In British and American English, the word is common in workshops, factories, construction, shipbuilding, and vehicle repair. It can also name the equipment used for the process, so a sentence such as “The welder was switched on” may refer to a machine rather than a person. The occupational sense is especially associated with skilled manual work requiring precision, safety training, and knowledge of different techniques. Compounds such as certified welder, TIG welder, and welder's helmet show how broadly the term can be applied. Its compact, straightforward formation reflects its central meaning: a welder is someone or something that welds.
nounA welder is a person who joins metal or other materials by welding. The term can also refer to a machine or tool used to perform welding.
- A person whose occupation or skill is welding.
- A machine, apparatus, or tool used for welding.
"She trained as a welder before working on aircraft engines."
"The welder carefully guided the torch along the seam."
"This portable welder is used for repairs at remote sites."
The standard plural for both a person who welds and a welding machine or tool.
"The two welders worked together on the steel framework."
A welder can be the skilled professional, the machine, or the tool that joins metal together.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does welder come from?
Welder is an English formation based on the verb weld, with the suffix -er indicating an agent or a tool that performs the action. The verb weld has roots in Old English, where related forms were used for joining or fusing materials. Modern derivatives include weldment, an object or structure made by welding, and weldable, meaning suitable for welding.
How welder is actually used
Welder is standard occupational and technical vocabulary in both British and American English. When referring to the device, the term is often qualified by the welding process or power source, as in TIG welder or arc welder.