beaker

noun bea·ker \ ˈbē-kər \

Updated on: 13 Mar 2018

Definition of beaker

1 : a large drinking cup that has a wide mouth and is sometimes supported on a standard

2 : a deep widemouthed thin-walled vessel usually with a lip for pouring that is used especially in science laboratories

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Recent Examples of beaker from the Web

Many of the researchers trading in mixing beakers for kissing babies have been recruited by 314 Action, a political action committee launched to support policymakers with scientific or technical backgrounds.

— dino grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: The next wildfire season starts soon. The government wants to use drones to fight it.," 5 Mar. 2018
Bath-time bonanza Just changing rooms can help break the crazy, so run a huge bubble bath, throw in random new objects (like plastic beakers, measuring jugs and saucepans – do not throw in your children) and turn the tub into a science experiment.

— sarah ivens, The Courier-Journal, "Here's how to entertain your kids on a snow day," 11 Jan. 2018
The witness saw O’Rourke, who’s not required to handle the toxic chemical for his job, take the cyanide from the poison cabinet, pour it into a beaker and then into a water bottle last December, prosecutors said.

— crystal hill, miamiherald, "Chemist stole cyanide to kill rodents, DA says. It nearly ended up in the water supply.," 13 Feb. 2018
The other day, Cole, a biologist at Loyola University, roused her sleeping bioluminescent friends, swirling a beaker full, giving them oxygen.

— christopher borrelli, chicagotribune.com, "Shimmery bacteria plus a canvas equals art, briefly," 26 Jan. 2018
Cabinetry bears beakers and vials, flasks and jars.

— pelican bomb, NOLA.com, "Been wondering about that mysterious cottage on the Algiers Point levee?," 23 Jan. 2018
Most recently, Hoole and her fellow researchers identified an array of pollens that clung to a clay beaker found inside Ava’s grave.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Pollens Found in Grave of Bronze Age Woman Paint Picture of Bygone Scotland," 9 Mar. 2017
Moreover, restrictions on items that can be brought into a detention center mean science classes are taught without beakers, Bunsen burners, microscopes, and anything that’s sharp or can be used as a weapon.

— molly mccluskey, The Atlantic, "'What If This Were Your Kid?'," 24 Dec. 2017
As Kennedy reports in The Guardian, archaeologists working in the area discovered a henge monument, Iron Age round huts, a pottery beaker, an ancient enclosure, and the bones of three children who died about 4,000 years ago.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Network of WWI Training Tunnels and Trenches Found in England," 27 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'beaker.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of beaker

Middle English biker, borrowed from Old Norse bikarr, probably borrowed from a continental Germanic form akin to Old Saxon bikeri, borrowed from early Medieval Latin bicarium, variant of bacarium — more at basin

Note: As noted by the Middle English Dictionary, the modern English form probably reflects influence of Middle Dutch beker.

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

BEAKER Defined for English Language Learners

beaker

noun

Definition of beaker for English Language Learners

: a wide glass with a lip for pouring that is used especially in chemistry for holding and measuring liquids
: a large drinking cup with a wide opening that is typically made of plastic or metal