demonstrator
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈɛmənstrˌeɪtə/
US
- /ˈdɛmənˌstreɪtər/
Description
- person who explains how something works
- product demonstrator
- exhibitor
- protester
- activist
A demonstrator isn't just showing you something; they are actively explaining how it works. Think of a science teacher demonstrating an experiment—they aren't just holding up equipment; they are guiding you step by step through what happens and why. But a demonstrator can also be someone who takes part in a protest or public action to make their views known. The context is key! You might see a product demonstrator at a tech fair showing the latest gadgets, or read about demonstrators marching for social justice in the city square.
The word "demonstrator" has two main meanings, both built around the idea of showing something to others. First, a demonstrator is someone who shows how something works, whether it is a product, a skill, or a process. This could be a salesperson showing a new vacuum cleaner in a store, a chef demonstrating a cooking technique on television, or a software engineer showing new features in a program. They are not just presenting an item; they are explaining its use through action and clear explanation.
In another common context, "demonstrator" refers to someone who takes part in a demonstration—a public display of opinion, often involving protest or activism. These demonstrators gather to express their shared views on issues like the environment, political policy, or social justice. In this sense, they demonstrate their beliefs through collective action and visible presence. The term is also used for a "demonstrator model"—a product, like a car, used by a showroom to show how it performs.
The key difference is the thing being demonstrated: is it a thing, or an opinion? A product demonstrator shows what something can do; a protest demonstrator shows what people believe. The word covers both practical instruction and public advocacy—a powerful combination!
Examples
- 1
Protest
Police asked the demonstrators to stay behind the barriers outside parliament.
- 2
Product demo
A demonstrator showed customers how the new coffee machine worked.
- 3
Display model
The shop sold the demonstrator at a lower price because it had been used on display.
Meaning
the demonstrator
the model used to show the product to customers
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- demonstratornoun
Forms
- demonstratorspluralnoun