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Definition of lathe

lathe

/leɪð/
lathe
Plural:lathes
•
Past Simple:lathed
•
Past Participle:lathed
•
Present Participle:lathing
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lathe Lexical Profile

lathe Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A machine tool used for shaping pieces of wood, metal, or other materials by rotating the workpiece against a cutting tool.

Example

"The machinist used a heavy-duty metal lathe to carve the custom cylindrical component."

• verb

1

To shape, cut, or turn a piece of material using a lathe.

Example

"He carefully lathed the brass rod to achieve the precise diameter required for the engine mechanism."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for lathe

Word Nuance & Usage

Care should be taken not to confuse 'lathe' (a machine tool for shaping rotating material) with 'lath' (a thin, narrow strip of wood used in construction).

• Rhymes for lathe

• Nearby Words

latefoss
latex
lath
lathe
lathyrus
latifi viper
latke

Word Origin & Etymology

Early 17th century: probably from Middle Low German 'lade' or Danish 'lad' meaning 'framework' or 'supporting structure'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lathe. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lathe
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