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

An ordinary kitchen colander can easily be used to view a solar eclipse in the same way as other projector viewers; the colander's circular holes project crescent images of the sun onto the ground. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Scoop out 1/2 cup of the noodle cooking water and drain everything in a colander. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

People can see projections of the eclipse using a tool like a pinhole projector with a small opening or colander, showing shadows of the eclipse on the ground. — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026

Pinpricks of light — such as those that shine through a colander, or the gaps in a leaf — will also appear to mirror the scene above, creating a kaleidoscope of tiny bright crescents. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Aug. 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