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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.
News of the spill sparked a mass volunteer effort, with up to a hundred people a day out on the beach, working with kitchen sieves, colanders and buckets in the initial days of the cleanup. Kara Fox, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025 Its basket also doubles as a colander, and the lid disassembles fully for easier cleaning. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Nov. 2025 BeFare Metal Colander Your plastic colander is another smart swap to make before the new year arrives. Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Nov. 2025 Strain the membranes from the water and then drain the seeds in a colander. Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 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 7 Dec. 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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