conveyor

Everyday

1. A conveyor (conveyor belt) is a long moving belt or line of rollers that carries things from one place to another, as in factories, airports and supermarket checkouts. tree →
2. (formal) A conveyor is a person or thing that carries or passes something on, like a conveyor of news. tree →

In the lessons

In science and DT lessons, conveyor belts show machines that save work by moving objects automatically. In everyday life, children see them at supermarket tills, airport baggage claim and sushi restaurants. In stories, a conveyor belt can be a fun or scary place, like in chocolate-factory tales. Phrases: «conveyor belt», «on the conveyor», «a conveyor belt of» (an endless stream of).

Examples

• Our suitcases came round on the conveyor belt. tree →
• Put your shopping on the conveyor at the checkout. tree →
• The factory's conveyor carries bottles to be filled. tree →
• Sushi plates go round on a conveyor in the restaurant. tree →
• The team seemed to have a conveyor belt of new young players. tree →
• In the film, the boy rode the conveyor belt into the sweet factory. tree →
• A conveyor carries coal out of the mine. tree →

Note

Countable noun. Spelled «conveyor» or sometimes «conveyer». Verb: convey (to carry or communicate).