vending machine

noun
/ˈvɛndɪŋ məˌʃiːn/

Etymology

This name for such a machine is attested since 1889. The concept of such a machine is centuries older (for more, see Wikipedia at vending machine § History).

Definitions

  1. An automatic machine that dispenses merchandise (often food or beverages) in return for…

    An automatic machine that dispenses merchandise (often food or beverages) in return for payment (originally coins; now also often paper money, credit cards, and wirelessly via digital payment apps).

    • Meronyms: bill acceptor, card swipe, change slot, coin return, coin slot, flavor strip
    • It is not clear to all operators of vending machines, though, that their future lies in dispensing meals, rather than snacks or candy.
    • Passengers may find themselves in a catch-22 situation, unable to buy a ticket for any number of reasons, ranging from an out-of-order ticket vending machine to a lengthy queue to use one, and yet then fall foul of the penalty fare regime.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for vending machine. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA