colander

noun

col·​an·​der ˈkä-lən-dər  ˈkə- 

: a perforated utensil for washing or draining food

Examples of colander in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Shred zucchini on the large holes of a box grater; place in a colander and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the salt. — Torie Cox, Southern Living, 27 July 2026

Lift the pasta out of the water with tongs or a slotted spoon (depending on the shape), or drain it in a colander — but not before saving some of that precious pasta water — and transfer it directly into the pot with the condimento. — Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

Drain remaining peach mixture through colander set in large bowl. — ABC News, 29 June 2026

Start by rinsing fresh, untreated rose petals in a colander. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 27 June 2026

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

Rhymes for colander

• solander

Kids Definition

colander

noun

col·​an·​der ˈkəl-ən-dər  ˈkäl- 

: a utensil with small holes for draining food