airer

An airer is a device used for drying laundry by allowing air to circulate around clothing. It typically consists of a frame with multiple arms or lines on which garments can be hung. Drying racks come in various forms, including freestanding units with foldable legs, wall- or ceiling-mounted retractable racks, and compact suitcase-style racks. Materials range from wood and steel to plastic. Many airers are designed to be lightweight, collapsible, and suitable for indoor or outdoor use. When used, garments are placed on the lines or arms, and air flow, ambient temperature, and humidity influence drying time. Airers are energy-efficient alternatives to tumble dryers and are favored for delicate fabrics or small households. They can be portable and allow efficient use of space, especially models with vertical or rotary designs.

A second sense of airer is as a person or organization that broadcasts or airs programming. In media industry usage, the airer is the broadcaster or channel that airs a show, film, or segment. The term is common in industry reporting and contract language and may imply responsibility for scheduling, promotion, and rights management. The clothing-related meaning is much more common in everyday usage, especially in British English, where airer typically refers to a drying rack rather than a broadcaster.

Etymology and regional usage: the clothing sense derives from air as a verb meaning to expose to air. The media sense is standard in broadcasting contexts; in British English, airer is widely used for the broadcaster, while in American English, terms like broadcaster or network are more common.