beaker

noun bea·ker \ ˈbē-kər \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 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

Scrape the mixture into a mini chopper or the beaker of an immersion blender and set aside to cool briefly.

— adam ried, BostonGlobe.com, "Recipes: Vinaigrettes and dressings to dress up meals," 1 June 2018
But don't expect fantastical concoctions with fancy bitters served in beakers on a bed of dry ice.

— nneka mcguire, chicagotribune.com, "Hungry for authenticity? Consider calling Humboldt Park home," 2 July 2017
In a cavernous building in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, just steps from the Mississippi River, environmental engineer Clint Willson lifts a beaker filled with dark plastic crumbs.

— ernie mastroianni, Discover Magazine, "A Mighty Model," 15 May 2018
Öland Island has been an archaeological treasure trove for researchers over the years, with more than 1,000 stone house foundations, cemeteries, graves, 15 ringforts and artifacts like gold Roman coins, bronze statuettes and glass beakers.

— ashley strickland, CNN, "Skeletons tell story of 'truly horrifying' fifth-century massacre," 1 May 2018
The beaker tilts to the left, delicately askew, as if acknowledging the precariousness of all balance and nodding toward the single flower lying on the table.

— willard spiegelman, WSJ, "Beauty in Full Bloom," 13 Apr. 2018
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

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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