lathe

UK: /ˈleɪð/ US: /leɪð/ ,(lāᵺ)

Inflections of 'lathe' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

lathes

v 3rd person singular

lathing

v pres p

lathed

v past

lathed

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

lathe /leɪð/   n., v., lathed, lath•ing. 
n. [countable]

1. Building, Mechanical Engineering a machine used in cutting or forming a piece of wood, metal, etc., by holding and rotating it against a tool that shapes it.

v. [~ + object]

2. Building, Mechanical Engineering to cut, shape, or treat on a lathe.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

lathe  (lāᵺ), n., v., lathed, lath•ing. 
n. 

1. Building, Mechanical Engineering a machine for use in working wood, metal, etc., that holds the material and rotates it about a horizontal axis against a tool that shapes it.

v.t. 

2. Building, Mechanical Engineering to cut, shape, or otherwise treat on a lathe.

• 1300–50; Middle English: frame, stand, lathe; compare Old Norse hlath stack (see lade), Danish -lad in væverlad weaver's batten, savelad saw bench

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

lathe / leɪð/ noun

1. a machine for shaping, boring, facing, or cutting a screw thread in metal, wood, etc, in which the workpiece is turned about a horizontal axis against a fixed tool

verb

1. (transitive) to shape, bore, or cut a screw thread in or on (a workpiece) on a lathe

Etymology: perhaps C15 lath a support, of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Danish lad lathe, Old English hlæd heap