Definition

Noun: A type of computer printer that creates text and images by propelling tiny droplets of liquid ink onto paper. The droplets are electrically charged and precisely directed.

Usage

An ink-jet printer is a common output device for home and office use. It is typically used for printing documents, photographs, and graphics.

Examples

• The report was printed on a high-quality ink-jet printer.
• For printing color photos, an ink-jet printer often provides excellent results.
• The office replaced its old dot-matrix printer with a faster ink-jet printer.

Advanced Usage

• Continuous ink system (CIS) / Tank printer: A modern variant of an ink-jet printer that uses refillable external ink tanks instead of disposable cartridges, significantly reducing printing costs.
• The term is often used in contrast to other printing technologies, such as laser printers.

Variants and Related Words

• Inkjet (adj, often used as a closed compound): Describes the technology or a printer using it.
  • We need to buy more inkjet cartridges.
• Printer (n): The general device. "Ink-jet" specifies the technology.

Synonyms

• Bubble-jet printer (a specific brand name for a type of ink-jet technology)

Related Phrases

• Ink cartridge / Ink tank: The replaceable component that holds the ink for the printer.
• Print head: The component in the printer that contains the nozzles which spray the ink droplets.

Noun

1. a printer that produces characters by projecting electrically charged droplets of ink