mechanical device that produces vibratory motion; used for massage
"The masseuse used a handheld vibrator to relieve the tension in his sore shoulders."
A device that vibrates or causes vibration.
"The handheld vibrator buzzed against her leg to signal that it was time to wake up."
A vibrating device used for massage or sexual stimulation.
"She bought a small vibrator to use for personal relaxation after a long day at work."
In plain English: A vibrator is an electric device that creates rapid vibrations to provide physical stimulation, often used for sexual pleasure.
"The old toy had stopped working after falling on the floor."
Usage: While the term can refer to any mechanical device designed to create vibrations, it most commonly denotes a personal massager intended specifically for sexual pleasure in everyday conversation. Use this word when describing intimate devices rather than general tools like phone buzzers or industrial shakers.
The word comes from the New Latin vibrātor, which is derived from the Latin verb vibrō meaning "to vibrate." It entered English through a straightforward combination of the root word and the suffix -or.