colander

noun

col·​an·​der ˈkä-lən-dər  ˈkə- 

: a perforated utensil for washing or draining food

Examples of colander in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For leafy greens, rinse under low-pressure warm water, spin dry in a colander and wash the colander after. —Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026

Drain pasta in a colander, reserving 2 cups pasta cooking liquid, and immediately drizzle 1 Tbsp. —Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026

Drain potatoes into a colander and discard cooking liquid, lemon halves, oregano, thyme, rosemary and bay leaf. —C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 22 Mar. 2026

Rick Moranis in Ghostbusters, without the colander. —Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English colyndore, probably modification of Old Occitan colador, from Medieval Latin colatorium, from Latin colare to sieve, from colum sieve

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for colander

• solander

Kids Definition

colander

noun

col·​an·​der ˈkəl-ən-dər  ˈkäl- 

: a utensil with small holes for draining food