gumball machine
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
The flashing light on top of a police car.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A police car.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “gumball machine” mean?
The flashing light on top of a police car.
Is “gumball machine” formal or informal?
gumball machine is generally slang.