mowing machine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Historical, Technical, Rural
Quick answer
What does “mowing machine” mean?
A mechanical device, typically horse-drawn or tractor-pulled, used for cutting grass or grain.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mechanical device, typically horse-drawn or tractor-pulled, used for cutting grass or grain.
A historical term for early agricultural machinery that automates the cutting of hay, grain, or long grass, often preceding modern lawn mowers and combine harvesters.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both variants use the term. In the UK, it might be more specifically associated with cutting hay meadows. In the US, it's strongly linked to the mechanisation of prairie farming.
Connotations
UK: pastoral, historical farming. US: pioneering, expansion, agricultural innovation.
Frequency
Equally rare and dated in both dialects, primarily found in historical texts, museums, or among farming enthusiasts.
Grammar
How to Use “mowing machine” in a Sentence
[Subject] used/operated a mowing machine.The mowing machine [verb: cut, harvested, broke down].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mowing machine” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to get the field mown before the rain. The machine for that is in the shed.
- He spent the afternoon mowing with the old machine.
American English
- We need to mow the back forty. The mowing machine is hitched and ready.
- They were mowing the hay with a restored machine.
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable - 'mowing' is not used as a standard adverb in this context.)
American English
- (Not applicable - 'mowing' is not used as a standard adverb in this context.)
adjective
British English
- The mowing season is upon us. The mowing-machine blade needs sharpening.
- A mowing-machine operator was a skilled job.
American English
- The mowing crew arrived. The mowing-machine parts were rusted.
- It was a classic mowing-machine design.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in historical business case studies about agricultural innovation.
Academic
Used in history, agricultural science, or technology papers discussing the Industrial Revolution's impact on farming.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used by older generations in rural areas or when discussing antique machinery.
Technical
Used in restoration contexts, museum catalogs, or historical farming manuals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mowing machine”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mowing machine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mowing machine”
- Using 'mowing machine' to refer to a modern sit-on lawnmower (use 'ride-on mower').
- Misspelling as 'moowing machine'.
- Using it as a general synonym for any agricultural vehicle.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'mowing machine' is a historical, often large, agricultural device for cutting fields of hay or grain. A 'lawnmower' is a modern, typically smaller machine for cutting grassy lawns.
No. A mowing machine only cuts the crop. A combine harvester (or 'combine') cuts, threshes (removes the grain from the stalk), and cleans the grain in one operation.
They were widely adopted from the mid-19th century until the early-to-mid 20th century, when they were gradually superseded by tractor-powered implements and combines.
It would sound very dated or specific. Unless you're discussing historical farming or antique machinery, use more specific modern terms like 'lawnmower', 'brush cutter', or 'harvester'.
A mechanical device, typically horse-drawn or tractor-pulled, used for cutting grass or grain.
Mowing machine is usually historical, technical, rural in register.
Mowing machine: in British English it is pronounced /ˈməʊ.ɪŋ məˌʃiːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmoʊ.ɪŋ məˌʃiːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a machine MOWING a large field, with the 'OW' sound like in 'slow' cutting.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS MECHANIZATION (The mowing machine metaphorically represents the replacement of human/animal labour with technology).
Practice
Quiz
In a modern context, which term would most naturally replace 'mowing machine' when talking about cutting a lawn?