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.
Rinse cucumber slices with cool water in a colander two or three times to remove the salt, then strain into a bowl. Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2025 Place the chips in a colander lined with wax paper and give them a strong dash of sea salt before serving. Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025 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 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Colander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colander. Accessed 12 May. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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