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percolator
noun
per·co·la·tor
ˈpər-kə-ˌlā-tər
nonstandard
-kyə-
: one that percolates
specifically
: a coffeepot in which boiling water rising through a tube is repeatedly deflected downward through a perforated basket containing ground coffee beans to extract their essence
Examples of percolator in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In one scene, when Jackie is feeling trapped, the editing splices in an insert of a boiling coffee percolator and an old news clip of the Berlin Wall.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024
All manner of appliances are celebrated here, including blenders, razors, hair dryers, coffee percolators and an impressive array of waffle irons.
—Edward M. Eveld, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2024
The set includes a mid-century modern home with retro rooster wallpaper, a coffee percolator and vintage ‘50s Felix the Cat wall clock, as well as a sleek ‘50s diner with roller-skating waitresses.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023
All go into the ever-churning internal percolator that, for artists, will eventually spark inspiration for creative output.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 14 July 2023
The pint-size percolator serves up handcrafted, small-batch, micro-roasted coffee, a full menu of espresso drinks, and an assortment of freshly baked cookies, muffins and other pastry to enjoy on the covered deck or on the go.
—Andrea E. McHugh, BostonGlobe.com, 6 July 2023
These days, designs are a step beyond the basic electric kettle pour-over or mini stainless steel percolator.
—Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 1 May 2023
The mechanics are fairly similar to a percolator.
—Megan Wahn, Bon Appétit, 16 Aug. 2022
On Center Street, Charles H. Baldwin & Sons has been manufacturing pure vanilla and other fine extracts since 1888, following the same recipes as the founders — using only Madagascar beans — and the same copper percolator and aging barrels.
—Necee Regis, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'percolator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1830, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near percolator
Cite this Entry
“Percolator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percolator. Accessed 14 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
percolator
noun
per·co·la·tor
ˈpər-kə-ˌlāt-ər
: a coffeepot in which boiling water rising through a tube is repeatedly turned downward through a basket with holes that contains ground coffee beans to make coffee
Medical Definition
percolator
noun
per·co·la·tor
ˈpər-kə-ˌlāt-ər
: an apparatus for the extraction of a drug with a liquid solvent by downward displacement
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