lawnmower

• lawn mower

From lawn +‎ mower.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈlɔːn.məʊ.ə/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈlɔn.moʊ.ɚ/
• (cot–caught merger, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈlɑn.moʊ.ɚ/

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lawnmower (plural lawnmowers)

1. A device used for cutting grass to a chosen height, typically of landscaped lawns of residences or institutions.

   We replaced our old electric lawnmower with a new cordless one.

   • 1877, Queensland Department of Public Instruction, Report of the Secretary for Public Instruction:

     It is only a small school, but this year the committee has expended £105 in reforming the garden, painting the fences, making a tennis court and lawn, purchasing a lawnmower etc.

   • 1912, O. Henry, Rolling Stones:

     here was an ordinary man out of the city directory that subscribes for magazines and pushes the lawnmower in his shirt-sleeves of evenings.

   • 1936, F.J. Thwaites, The Redemption, Sydney: H. John Edwards Publishing, published 1940, page 58:

     Silence reigned, broken only by the hideous screeching of vultures and the sound of a lawn-mower being used in the hospital grounds.

2. A person who landscapes and in particular mows lawns.

   We hired a third lawnmower for the spring and summer.

3. (preceded by definite article) A dance move in which the dancer mimics using a petrol lawn mower by pulling the starter cord and then pushing the mower forwards to the beat of the music.

• rotary mower, reel mower, push mower, riding mower, electric lawn mower, robotic lawn mower

• riding lawnmower