Erlenmeyer flask

noun

Er·​len·​mey·​er flask ˈər-lən-ˌmī(-ə)r- 

ˈer-lən-

: a flat-bottomed conical laboratory flask

Illustration of Erlenmeyer flask

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The kitty-that-isn’t-a-cat is depicted as a chemist holding an Erlenmeyer flask and test tube; as an astronaut in her space-walking white EVA suit or as an Endeavour pilot wearing her Advanced Crew Escape Suit for liftoff (with matching orange hair bow, of course), among other scenarios. —Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2021

Invented by chemist Peter Schlumbohm in 1941, the classic coffee maker, with its wood and leather collar, was inspired by both the Erlenmeyer flask and Bauhaus-era design, and is part of MoMA’s permanent collection. —Lesley Kennedy, CNN Underscored, 3 Mar. 2021

Suddenly my brain was filled with visions of hand rolls bursting with DNA helices and gene sequences served alongside an Erlenmeyer flask instead of a tokkuri of sake. —Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 13 July 2011

Word History

Etymology

Emil Erlenmeyer

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Erlenmeyer flask

noun

Er·​len·​mey·​er flask ˌər-lən-ˌmī(-ə)r- 

ˌer-lən-

: a flat-bottomed laboratory flask that tapers upward to a straight neck

Etymology

named for Emil Erlenmeyer 1825–1909 German chemist

Medical Definition

Erlenmeyer flask

noun

Er·​len·​mey·​er flask ˌər-lən-ˌmī(-ə)r-  ˌer-lən- 

: a flat-bottomed conical flask whose shape allows the contents to be swirled without danger of spilling