extractor

noun

ex·​trac·​tor ik-ˈstrak-tər How to pronounce extractor (audio)
: one that extracts
especially : the mechanism in a firearm that dislodges a spent cartridge from the chamber

Examples of extractor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The green juice is made with cucumber, celery, ginger, green apple, lime and spinach, and needs to be prepared with an extractor, Maduro told the crowd at a rally last week. —Reuters, NBC News, 25 July 2024 Developers can create custom extractors to enhance flexibility and adaptability. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024 Tow hooks are embedded in the front and rear of the vehicle, and functional air extractors are intended for high-pressure environments. —Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 30 May 2024 Microwave ovens: Control the cooking time, power level, mode, and extractor fan and light (where applicable) and send notifications. —Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 8 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for extractor 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin extractōr-, extractor "drawer out, miner," from Latin extrac-, variant stem of extrahere "to pull out, draw forth" + -tōr-, -tor, agent suffix — more at extract entry 1

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of extractor was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near extractor

extract oneself

extractor

extract printing

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Extractor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extractor. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

extractor

noun
ex·​trac·​tor ik-ˈstrak-tər How to pronounce extractor (audio) ˈek-ˌstrak- How to pronounce extractor (audio)
1
: an instrument used in extraction (as of a tooth)
2
: an apparatus for extracting substances by means of solvents

More from Merriam-Webster on extractor

Nglish: Translation of extractor for Spanish Speakers

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Is That Gratitude or Attitude? A Thanksgiving Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...