A welder is a person whose job is to join pieces of metal together by melting and fusing them.
“Welder” comes from “weld,” from early modern English “well” or “weld,” meaning “to fuse or hammer together,” plus the -er ending for a person who does something. The welding sense developed with advances in metalworking.
Welders work with temperatures hot enough to melt steel, creating joints that can be stronger than the original metal. Almost every bridge, car, and skyscraper you see depends on invisible welds holding it together.
Skilled trades such as welding have historically been male-dominated and culturally coded as "men's work," leading to stereotypes that exclude women and non-binary people. Language around welders has often reflected this, using male-default imagery and pronouns.
Use "welder" as a gender-neutral role, and avoid assuming a welder's gender; use "they" or the person's stated pronouns. Avoid phrases that frame women welders as exceptional or surprising.
["welding professional","welding technician"]
Women have worked as welders in shipyards, factories, and construction—especially visible in WWII industries—and continue to expand and lead in welding, inspection, and welding education.
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