caster

1 of 5

noun (1)

cast·​er ˈka-stər 

1

: one that casts

especially : a machine that casts type

2

or castor

ˈka-stər 

a

: a usually silver table vessel with a perforated top for sprinkling a seasoning (such as sugar or spice)

b

: a usually revolving metal stand bearing condiment containers (such as cruets, mustard pot, and often shakers) for table use : a cruet stand

3

: any of a set of wheels or rotating balls mounted in a swivel frame and used for the support and movement of furniture, trucks, and portable equipment

4

: the slight usually backward tilt from vertical of the axis of the steering mechanism of an automobile for giving directional stability to the front wheels

castor

2 of 5

noun (2)

cas·​tor ˈka-stər 

1

: beaver sense 1a

2

: castoreum

3

: a beaver hat

castor

3 of 5

cas·​tor

variant spelling of caster

Castor

4 of 5

noun (3)

Cas·​tor ˈka-stər 

1

: one of the Dioscuri

2

: the more northern of the two bright stars in Gemini

castorite

5 of 5

noun

cas·​tor·​ite

ˈkastəˌrīt, 

-ˈaa-, 

-ˈai-, 

-ˈȧ-

variants or castor

-tə(r) 

plural -s

: a mineral consisting of a variety of petalite occurring in transparent crystal

Examples of caster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This is where lightweight furniture, modular furniture, and islands on casters come in handy. —Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 30 May 2026

Choose hampers with casters that easily glide under countertops or into closets. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026

Noun

The formula also packs in microbiome-friendly ferments like Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Bifida, and Saccharomyces extracts, alongside a nourishing blend of rosemary, peppermint, argan, castor, moringa, rosehip, jojoba, and soybean oils to support both scalp health and softer, silkier strands. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 27 May 2026

At 24 inches tall, this unit is the perfect height to keep under your desk, but the castor wheels can glide it all around your workspace. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 6 May 2026

Noun

Packed with skin-loving ingredients like mango butter, green tea extract, and castor seed oil, this cream bronzer keeps your skin hydrated all day long without emphasizing texture or sinking into fine lines. —Allure, 14 Aug. 2025

Meanwhile, castor seed oil, rambutan extract, and a blend of peptides help to nourish your lashes while coating them with high-impact color. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek kastōr, from Kastōr Castor

Noun (3)

Latin, from Greek Kastōr

Noun

castorite from German kastor (from Kastor mythological personage, from Latin Castor) + English -ite; castor from German kastor; from its appearance with pollucite (previously called pollux)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing caster

• caster sugar

Rhymes for caster

• aster
• blaster
• castor
• faster
• gaster
• laster
• master
• paster
• pastor
• plaster
• raster
• vaster

Kids Definition

caster

noun

cast·​er ˈkas-tər 

1

: one that casts

2

or castor

ˈkas-tər 

: a small container (as for salt) with a top having small holes

3

: a small wheel that turns freely and is used for the support and movement of furniture