colander

noun

col·​an·​der ˈkä-lən-dər How to pronounce colander (audio) ˈkə- How to pronounce colander (audio)
: a perforated utensil for washing or draining food

Examples of colander in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Drain in a colander, and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Liz Mervosh, Southern Living, 26 Mar. 2025 Cook Mushrooms Transfer mushrooms to a colander to drain off any free liquid. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2025 Many of these come with steamers or colanders for draining pasta water. Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025 Raw chicken was being thawed in a colander with running water only touching parts of the chicken. Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for colander

Word History

Etymology

Middle English colyndore, probably modification of Old Occitan colador, from Medieval Latin colatorium, from Latin colare to sieve, from colum sieve

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of colander was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Colander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colander. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

colander

noun
col·​an·​der ˈkəl-ən-dər How to pronounce colander (audio) ˈkäl- How to pronounce colander (audio)
: a utensil with small holes for draining food

More from Merriam-Webster on colander

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