Meaning & use
Zamboni
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountabletrademark
A machine that drives over an ice rink to scrape, wash and smooth the surface by laying down a thin layer of water.
Grammar: Countable: a Zamboni, two Zambonis; also used as the machine's brand name.
Patterns
- drive the Zamboni
- wait for the Zamboni
Fans watched the Zamboni clear the ice between periods.
The kids cheered as the Zamboni made a final lap of the rink.
A Zamboni leaves the ice smooth and shiny.
Word forms
| plural | Zambonis |
|---|
Common combinations
- drive the Zamboni
- He drives the Zamboni at the local arena.
- Zamboni driver
- The Zamboni driver waved to the crowd.
- Zamboni break
- Everyone grabbed snacks during the Zamboni break.
- resurface with a Zamboni
- They resurface the ice with a Zamboni after every period.
- ride on the Zamboni
- The mascot rode on the Zamboni.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ice resurfacer
- Ice resurfacer is the generic technical name for the machine, while Zamboni is a brand name used as a general word.
- ice-resurfacing machine
- This is a plain descriptive term, whereas Zamboni is shorter and more familiar to hockey fans.
- ice cleaner
- Ice cleaner is rarer and less precise because the machine also shaves and floods the ice.
Word family
Commonly confused: Zamboni or Zimmer frame?
Zamboni vs Zimmer frame
A Zimmer frame is a walking aid for people with limited mobility; it is unrelated to the ice machine except for the similar-sounding brand-style name.
Practice
Between periods at the hockey game, a ___ circled the rink to smooth the ice.
Choose one answer.
A Zamboni is a machine that resurfaces ice in a rink. A snowplow clears roads, and a bulldozer and tractor are not designed for rink ice.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Zamboni”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.