dumbwaiter

noun

dumb·​wait·​er ˈdəm-ˌwā-tər How to pronounce dumbwaiter (audio)
ˌdəm-ˈwā-
1
: a portable serving table or stand
2
: a small elevator used for conveying food and dishes from one story of a building to another

Examples of dumbwaiter 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.
Shirley gets one of her compadres in Mechanical, Ossie (Michael Younis), to send Juliette further into the Down Deep using their little dumbwaiter contraption. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 July 2026 For a home built to host, Gray pointed to the infrastructure that keeps gatherings moving, including both an elevator and a dumbwaiter serving all three levels, plus expansive storage. — David Caraccio may 16, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026 Ohm faces plenty of freaky sights and sounds, from dead bodies and claustrophobic dumbwaiters to a creepy kids show that will give you the willies. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 May 2026 Each room has a small hatch near the entrance—a dumbwaiter-like compartment where staff can leave deliveries or collect items without disturbing you. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dumbwaiter

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dumbwaiter was circa 1730

Rhymes for dumbwaiter

See All Rhymes for dumbwaiter

Browse Nearby Words

dumbstruck
dumbwaiter
dumb watches
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Cite this Entry

“Dumbwaiter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dumbwaiter. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dumbwaiter

noun
dumb·​wait·​er ˈdəm-ˈwāt-ər How to pronounce dumbwaiter (audio)
: a small elevator for carrying food or goods from one story to another
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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