cask

noun

ˈkask 

1

: a barrel-shaped vessel of staves, headings, and hoops usually for liquids

2

: a cask and its contents

also : the quantity contained in a cask

Synonyms of cask

• barrel
• keg
• hogshead
• pipe

Examples of cask in a Sentence

an oak cask for wine

They drank a cask of wine.

Recent Examples on the Web

All of that liquid—part of an early ‘80s run from Bernheim distillery—entered bottle at cask strength. —Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

While the distillery was producing both malt and pot still whiskey onsite, most of the Fercullen brand consisted of whiskey that was purchased from the Cooley Distillery, including a 15-year-old single grain and a 21-year-old single malt finished in Spanish Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2026

So, taking a tour here offers the rare opportunity to see countless shapes of pot stills and cask types all under one roof. —Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025

Finding barrels, the very rare casks, is really important. —Eric Blumer, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English caske, perhaps from Middle French casque helmet, from Spanish casco potsherd, skull, helmet

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cask

• ask
• bask
• basque
• casque
• flask
• mask
• masque
• pasch
• task
• subtask
• unmask

Kids Definition

cask

noun

ˈkask 

1

: a barrel-shaped container usually for liquids

2

: the quantity contained in a cask