A blower is a machine or device that pushes air forcefully in a particular direction. The most familiar kind is a leaf blower, which shoots out a strong stream of air to move leaves, grass clippings, or debris off driveways and lawns. Snow blowers work similarly, using powerful fans to clear snow from sidewalks and driveways by throwing it to the side.

The word also appears in other contexts. Some cars have superchargers or turbochargers (sometimes just called blowers) that force extra air into the engine to make it more powerful. In factories, industrial blowers move air through ventilation systems or cool down hot machinery. Even your hair dryer is technically a small blower, pushing warm air to dry your hair quickly.

The key idea is always the same: a blower creates a strong, directed flow of air. While a fan might gently circulate air in a room, a blower forces air with real power, enough to move solid objects or push air where it needs to go. In British English, “blower” is also old-fashioned slang for a telephone, though you won't hear it much anymore.