welder

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/ˈwɛldər/
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A person who joins metal by welding, the machine used for that work, and rarely a figurative force that brings separate things together.
Practice using welder in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • The editor was a welder of old stories and new evidence.
  • The shipyard hired two new welders this week.
  • The welder checked the joint before striking the arc.
  • Unplug the welder before changing the wire spool.
  • The welder overheated after hours of use.

Similar words

arc welder
fabricator
MIG welder
welding equipment
steelworker
welding technician
welding machine
connector
weldor
spot welder

Meanings

Person who welds metal

noun
trade
neutral
A worker who joins metal parts by welding, using heat, pressure, filler metal, or an electric arc.

Usage

Use welder for the trained person doing welding, especially in jobs, shops, training, and safety contexts.

Examples

  • The welder checked the joint before striking the arc.
  • A certified welder must follow strict safety rules.
  • The shipyard hired two new welders this week.
  • The apprentice welder practiced on scrap steel.
  • Every welder in the crew wore a helmet and gloves.
  • The senior welder taught her how to read the bead.
  • A good welder knows when the metal is too hot.

Common mistakes

The noun is often confused with the verb weld, or the singular is used with a plural verb.
IncorrectCorrect
The welder are on site. The welders are on site.
I need to welder the steel beams. I need to weld the steel beams.
The welder fixed the pipe, but he broke during the job. The welder fixed the pipe, but his torch broke during the job.

Similar words

weldor
metalworker
fabricator
welding technician
ironworker
steelworker

Machine used for welding

noun
technology
neutral
A tool or machine that supplies the heat, current, gas, or pressure needed to weld materials together.

Usage

Use welder for the machine or tool, especially when discussing settings, current, gas, cables, or equipment types.

Examples

  • The portable welder runs from a generator.
  • Set the welder to the right current for thin steel.
  • The new welder has a digital display.
  • Unplug the welder before changing the wire spool.
  • A small welder is enough for this repair.
  • The shop bought a spot welder for sheet metal.
  • The welder overheated after hours of use.

Common mistakes

The machine sense is often confused with the worker, or welding terms such as current and voltage are mixed up.
IncorrectCorrect
The welder walked across the shop after the repair. The welder was moved across the shop after the repair.
Set the welder to 180 volts of current. Set the welder to 180 amps of current.
I bought a welder to cut wood. I bought a welder to join metal.

Similar words

welding machine
arc welder
MIG welder
TIG welder
spot welder
welding equipment

One who unites people or ideas

noun
figurative
neutral
A person or thing that brings separate people, ideas, or parts into a closer whole.

Usage

Use welder figuratively only when the image of joining separate parts is clear, as in a welder of ideas or communities.

Examples

  • The editor was a welder of old stories and new evidence.
  • He became a welder of rival neighborhoods.
  • Her speech made her a welder of the coalition.
  • The book is a welder of science and memory.
  • The coach acted as a welder after the argument.
  • That rare figurative use casts the writer as a welder of ideas.
  • She was not a negotiator so much as a welder of trust.

Common mistakes

The figurative sense is rare, so it can sound strange without an of phrase naming what is being joined.
IncorrectCorrect
The mayor was a welder because he repaired the bridge himself. The mayor was a welder of communities because he brought rival groups together.
The essay is a welder machine of old and new ideas. The essay is a welder of old and new ideas.
She was the welder between the two ropes. She was the link between the two groups.

Similar words

uniter
connector
integrator
harmonizer
bridge-builder

Usage

Use welder first for the tradesperson, second for welding equipment, and only in marked figurative writing for someone or something that unites.

Common mistakes

I need to welder the steel uses the noun as a verb, where weld is needed.

Etymology

From the verb weld plus -er. The worker sense is recorded from the early 1800s, and the machine or appliance sense from the late 1800s.

FAQ

What does welder mean?

welder usually means a person whose job is welding metal, but it can also mean a welding machine.

Is welder a person or a machine?

It can be either. In job contexts it is the worker, while in tool contexts it is the welding machine.

How do you pronounce welder?

welder is pronounced /ˈwɛldər/.

What is the plural of welder?

The regular plural is welders.

Is weldor the same as welder?

weldor is a less common variant sometimes used for the person, especially to keep it distinct from the machine.

Can welder be used figuratively?

Yes, but rarely. A welder of ideas or communities is someone who brings separate things together.

What is the difference between welder and weld?

welder is a noun for the person or machine, while weld is the verb or the joined place itself.

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