firkin

noun fir·kin \ ˈfər-kən \

Definition of firkin

1 : a small wooden vessel or cask

2 : any of various British units of capacity usually equal to ¹/₄ barrel

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Examples of firkin in a Sentence

the innkeeper opened up a firkin of his special ale for the weary travelers

Recent Examples of firkin from the Web

Sample unique, locally brewed firkin beers, as well as traditional beers from local brewers.

— michelle jenkins, idahostatesman, "Valentine’s Day is the focus of February, but there’s plenty else on tap," 26 Jan. 2018
There will be a firkin tapping from Blue Pants Brewery as well as Big Beach Brewery straight out of Gulf Shores.

— brian kelly | bkelly@al.com, AL.com, "12 must-do fall festivals at the beach," 28 Sep. 2017
The festival featured firkin beers, which are brewed in a small cask and are not pasteurized, cold-filtered or carbonated by outside equipment.

— alicia fabbre, Naperville Sun, "First Naperville Firkin Fest draws 500 beer enthusiasts," 10 Sep. 2017
Wednesday: Good City Brewing, 2108 N. Farwell Ave., is the site for this year's MKE Firkin Craft Beer Festival preview party from 7 to 9 p.m. The party includes a firkin, of course.

— kathy flanigan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The debut of Firkin Fridays, Westallion's grand opening and more ways to enjoy beer," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'firkin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of firkin

Middle English, ultimately from Middle Dutch veerdel fourth, from veer four; akin to Old English fēower — more at four

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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firkin

Definition of firkin

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firkin

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