# thatcher

/ˈθætʃɝ/ (US) · /θˈætʃɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thatcher
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. lawn tool

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a machine or tool used to remove dead grass and leaves from a lawn.

For teachers: a mechanical device or mower attachment designed to remove thatch—the layer of organic debris—from a lawn.

- He used a power thatcher to clear the dead grass before planting new seeds.
- Operating a mechanical thatcher in early spring helps aerate the soil by removing the dense layer of accumulated organic matter.

Teaching tip: In technical gardening contexts, this is often called a 'dethatcher'.

## Examples

- The thatcher is working on the old cottage roof today.
- Because the village has many historic buildings, a skilled thatcher is always in high demand for maintenance.
- The craft of the thatcher requires years of apprenticeship to master the precise layering of reeds that ensures a roof remains watertight for decades.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.