beaker

noun

bea·​ker ˈbē-kər 

1

: a large drinking cup that has a wide mouth and is sometimes supported on a standard

2

: a deep widemouthed thin-walled vessel usually with a lip for pouring that is used especially in science laboratories

Examples of beaker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Bears coach may as well be wearing a lab coat with a table full of beakers, test tubes and Bunsen burners in front of him. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Many labs currently use a basic setup involving an electrolyte solution and two electrodes in an open beaker. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026

The final tear drawn from the once overflowing beaker. — Literary Hub, 19 June 2026

But in shaking up the beaker, the chemistry never aligned. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English biker, borrowed from Old Norse bikarr, probably borrowed from a continental Germanic form akin to Old Saxon bikeri, borrowed from early Medieval Latin bicarium, variant of bacarium — more at basin

Note: As noted by the Middle English Dictionary, the modern English form probably reflects influence of Middle Dutch beker.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for beaker

• meeker
• seeker
• sneaker
• speaker
• weaker
• loudspeaker

Kids Definition

beaker

noun

bea·​ker ˈbē-kər 

: a deep cup or glass with a wide mouth and usually a lip for pouring

Medical Definition

beaker

noun

bea·​ker ˈbē-kər 

: a deep widemouthed thin-walled vessel usually with a lip for pouring that is used especially in science laboratories