Zamboni

/zæmˈboʊni/

Other forms: Zambonis

If you've ever ice skated at an indoor rink, you've probably seen a Zamboni. It's the machine that's used to periodically smooth out the surface of the ice so it's easier to skate on.

Some Zambonis are hand-pushed devices, while others are vehicles with a driver. During professional ice hockey games, a Zamboni is used to clean and polish the ice between periods. Busy indoor rinks smooth out their ice in the same way. This ingenious machine, which shaves, washes, wets, and smooths the ice, was invented by an American engineer named Frank Zamboni in the 1940s.

Definitions of Zamboni

1. noun

   the trademark for a machine that smooths the ice in an ice-skating rink
   type of:

   machine

   any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks