sewing machine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to technical
Quick answer
What does “sewing machine” mean?
A mechanical or electrical device used to stitch fabric and other materials together with thread.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mechanical or electrical device used to stitch fabric and other materials together with thread.
A tool for domestic or industrial garment construction, repair, and textile arts; historically significant in industrialization and women's labor.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of related terms may vary (e.g., 'sewing' is consistent).
Connotations
Similar connotations of domesticity, craftsmanship, and historical industry.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “sewing machine” in a Sentence
[subject] uses a sewing machine to [verb] fabricThe sewing machine [verbs] (e.g., jams, stitches, operates)[subject] sat at the sewing machineVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sewing machine” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She is sewing-machine-ing the hem.
- They plan to sewing-machine the entire batch.
American English
- She's sewing-machining the quilt.
- He sewing-machined the patches together.
adverb
British English
- She worked sewing-machinely through the pile.
- The fabric fed through sewing-machine smoothly.
American English
- He stitched sewing-machinely and quickly.
- The operation proceeded sewing-machine efficiently.
adjective
British English
- The sewing-machine industry has evolved.
- She took a sewing-machine course.
American English
- Sewing-machine technology advanced rapidly.
- He works in sewing-machine repair.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to equipment in textile manufacturing, retail, or repair services.
Academic
Discussed in history of technology, industrial revolution, gender studies.
Everyday
Common in domestic contexts for clothing repair, crafting, and hobbies.
Technical
Specifications include stitch types, motor power, feed mechanisms, and computerised controls.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sewing machine”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sewing machine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sewing machine”
- Misspelling as 'sowing machine' (which is for planting seeds).
- Using plural 'sewing machines' when referring to the concept generically.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a compound noun written as two separate words: 'sewing machine'.
No, it refers only to the device. A person who operates it is a 'sewer' or 'seamstress/tailor'.
A sewing machine makes basic stitches for construction and repair. An overlocker (serger) trims and finishes seams simultaneously, often used for edging.
The first functional sewing machine was invented by Barthélemy Thimonnier in 1830, with Elias Howe and Isaac Singer developing key commercial versions later.
A mechanical or electrical device used to stitch fabric and other materials together with thread.
Sewing machine is usually neutral to technical in register.
Sewing machine: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsəʊɪŋ məˌʃiːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsoʊɪŋ məˌʃin/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Married to the sewing machine (working on it constantly)”
- “A needle in a sewing machine (something very busy or precise)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a machine that SEWS things automatically: SEWing machine.
Conceptual Metaphor
A mechanical tailor; a factory for the home.
Practice
Quiz
What is a common collocation with 'sewing machine'?